Pigeon Forge, a city known for its attractions and proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains, has just cut the ribbon on a major roadway project meant to ease the notorious traffic snarls that have long plagued locals and tourists alike. The Jake Thomas Connector, which spans two miles and features five lanes, was officially opened to the public on Thursday, marking the end of a project that began in 2022 and cost upwards of $30 million. As stated by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and reported by WATE, this new stretch of highway connects Jake Thomas Boulevard with Veterans Boulevard, creating a more direct route between the Parkway's shopping and entertainment venues to popular destinations like Dollywood and its resorts.
Residents of Pigeon Forge are among those celebrating the opening. "Thank heavens! I have been waiting and waiting for that to open," Claudia Dybas, a resident, expressed her relief in a statement obtained by WVLT. The road is not just expected to facilitate smoother traffic for major events: it has also been engineered with pedestrians in mind, featuring an expansive sidewalk that will eventually link up with the city's greenway system. Mayor David Wear highlighted the significance of this infrastructure to the area's economic development, noting that new hotels are already springing up along the connector.
With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park drawing over 13 million visitors in 2023, the Pigeon Forge area has been in desperate need of a solution to the gridlock that often overwhelms the local roadways during peak tourist seasons. According to a report by Knox News, this connector is a much-anticipated response to that problem, expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion.
This isn't just a win for tourists, however, the local workforce stands to benefit too. “Allowing people to use that to get in and out of town, or not just for tourists, but for people who live here who work outside the county and come in, it’s going to be a major thorough fair we couldn’t have done it without our partners at TDOT,” Mayor Wear told WVLT. As the city continues to develop, the Jake Thomas Connector is set to become a vital artery for both economic growth, and the daily commute of Pigeon Forge residents and visitors.
