Residents and travelers in East Tennessee, brace yourselves for a significant number of construction projects affecting traffic in various counties this week. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, a slew of resurfacing, repairs, and utility works are scheduled to take place, likely causing disruptions and delays.
In Anderson County, for example, night owls on I-75 North and South between Mile Marker 117.6 and 122 might hit a snag with possible lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. due to resurfacing work. Similar delays are to be expected on SR 62 and SR 95. Not to mention, I-75 North near Mile Marker 128 faces lane closures on July 31 for bridge deck repairs, so timing your drive earlier in the day could save you some hassle.
Over to Blount County, surface improvements on US 321/SR 73 and bridge repairs on SR 334 will likely slow things down. Similarly, Campbell County's resurfacing between Mile Markers 140 and 147 on I-75 North and South, along with bridge work over Cove Lake on SR 9, is expected to add to the traffic tension, as per the TDOT.
Travelers traversing I-81 in Greene County will encounter temporary lane closures between Mile Markers 44 and 50, while in Hamblen County, US 11/SR 34 and US 25/SR 32 are under the construction hammer with nightly lane closures and workers on the scene. For those used to the rhythms of rural Hancock County, SR 33 is closed due to a bridge over Greasy Creek being replaced—plan for a detour. Jefferson County adds to the chorus of construction with maintenance activities on I-81 causing lane closures on July 25. Lane closures also persist on SR 113 at SR 341, and SR 93 over the South Fork Holston River will be a tightrope of crews and cones.
Knox County has its fair share of disruptions with nighttime lane closures on I-140 East due to expansion efforts and rolling roadblocks on I-275 for utility work. It's a similar story of constriction on I-640 East and West and adjustments aplenty on US 129/SR 115 Alcoa Highway, as reported by TDOT. Details on these projects are available on TDOT's project pages for those who seek more in-depth information. In the mix as well, US 441/SR 71 navigators will need to be patient, alert for workers, and prepared for potential delays.
Loudon, Roane, Sullivan, Union, and Washington counties will not escape this construction contagion with their various resurfacing and infrastructure enhancements. Whether it's the I-75 strip in Loudon County or SR 357's resurfacing in Sullivan County, there's no dodging the orange barrel ballet. If you're eyeing University Parkway in Washington County, expect the unexpected with lane closures and shifts until mid-August.
