Construction to impact drivers on Alcoa Highway and West Topside Road

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Traffic is set to be impacted on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) southbound and West Topside Road in Knox County by upcoming construction activities according to a traffic alert shared by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Starting Monday, July 22, the connection between Alcoa Highway and West Topside Road will be closed for around two weeks to give the contractor a safe working space to build the proposed pedestrian tunnel beneath West Topside Road. Traffic will be detoured around the closure.

To reach Topside Road from Alcoa Highway going south, drivers will need to exit Alcoa Highway at the John Sevier Highway (State Route 168) interchange. Then, drivers will follow John Sevier Highway to Maryville Pike and then to West Topside Road.

To access Alcoa Highway southbound from West Topside Road, TDOT says traffic will be detoured by taking Alcoa Highway northbound to the John Sevier Highway interchange. Drivers will then access Alcoa Highway southbound at the John Sevier Highway interchange

“This method of installing a precast pedestrian tunnel will limit the overall length of time that West Topside Road will be closed in comparison to traditional construction methods of cast in place. This alternative method of construction will minimize impacts to traffic while construction takes place,” shared TDOT.

This construction is a part of TDOT’s ongoing project to construct improvements to Alcoa Highway in Knox and Blount counties .

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