Decision Made for Pellissippi Parkway Extension (SR 162) Project; West alignment shift at southern end of Preferred Alternative selected
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On Monday, July 29th, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced that the west alignment shift at the southern end of the Preferred Alternative has been selected for the Pellissippi Parkway Extension (State Route 162) project in Blount County.
Technical studies conducted in support of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) revealed a sensitive archaeological site, one that does not involve human remains. As required by Federal law, TDOT investigated ways to avoid or minimize adverse effects to the site, and developed two minor alignment shifts in the southern section of the Preferred Alternative.
The two potential alignment shifts (east and west), and the impacts of these shifts were presented for public review and comment at a Community Briefing held on May 30, 2013.
After careful consideration, the west alignment was selected for a variety of reasons. The overall length of the west shift is shorter than the east shift, with less right-of-way acquisition required. The west shift also minimizes impacts to the operations of two active farms, and is farther away from a local church, thus minimizing potential access and noise impacts. Displaced residents in the Kensington Place mobile home community will be offered relocation assistance by TDOT. Any displaced residents who want to stay within their community would likely be able to relocate to one of the available site pads. The mobile home community also would be potentially eligible for a noise barrier that would minimize both noise and visual impacts.
The project will extend Pellissippi Parkway (State Route 162) from State Route 33 (Old Knoxville Highway) to US 321/State Route 73 (Lamar Alexander Highway). The proposed extension will be approximately 4.4 miles in length.
The Preferred Alternative will include this shift when presented in the FEIS that will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) later this summer. A record of decision from the FHWA is expected by the end of 2013.
For more information on this project, please visit http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/pellissippi/.
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