TDOT announces strategy for I-75/I-40 zone in West Knoxville

To find solutions to congestion issues in and around Knoxville, the Tennessee Department of Transportation announced its Comprehensive Strategy for the I-40/I-75 Corridor in Loudon and Knox Counties.

TDOT’s 10-Year Plan, released in December, identifies funding for the interchange at I-40 and Watt Road, improvements to the I-40/I-75 corridor, and preliminary engineering of the Sharps Gap Interchange. This new strategy combines these projects in an attempt to combine these areas under a total approach plan for the entire corridor.

“By shifting focus from individual projects to a comprehensive strategy we can better address long-term needs for this corridor and maximize the value of investments,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley in a release from TDOT. “Thanks to Governor Lee prioritizing infrastructure, we’re transforming how TDOT approaches delivery leading to a more efficient use of resources and improved project outcomes.”

The 17-mile stretch between the I-75 split in Loudon County and the I-640 split in Knox County is one of the most congested areas in the state. Backups have become commonplace at multiple locations along this corridor, with over 205,000 vehicles using it every day.

“This stretch of interstate is a vital pathway for Tennesseans and for the entire East Tennessee economy,” says Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally. “With that, we have experienced tremendous growth, congestion, and unreliable trip times. I am excited to partner with the Department of Transportation to advance solutions that benefit multiple communities along this corridor in a comprehensive manner.”

During the next 18 to 24 months, TDOT said it will invest in preliminary engineering to determine what corridor improvements need to be made to increase throughput and reduce travel times. Preliminary engineering will focus on significant enhancements to the 17-mile corridor where I-40 and I-75 are joined and includes the interchanges at Watt Road and Campbell Station Road, both weigh stations, and the potential for future Choice Lanes.

The work will include data collection, an assessment of previous studies, an existing conditions analysis of both engineering and environmental features, a traffic analysis, and an operations assessment. The data produced will be used to create a plan of projects to move traffic more efficiently. The investment in the study does not represent the full cost of the project, which will be further developed as engineering work proceeds.

“Rather than a piecemeal approach to traffic congestion, the West Knoxville Corridor Strategy provides a comprehensive, long-term plan for one of the busiest sections of interstate in Tennessee,” said Senator Richard Briggs.