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Motorists in East Tennessee should plan for intermittent delays tomorrow as an oversized load makes its journey from Knoxville to Kingsport. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced that rolling roadblocks will be implemented along various segments of I-40 East and I-81 North to facilitate the transport of large cargo. According to TDOT's spokesperson, Mark Nagi, travelers can expect disruptions at Strawberry Plains, Mosheim, and Kingsport during the early hours of the day.
The schedule, as detailed by Nagi and reported by WVLT, indicates that roadblocks will begin from midnight to 3 a.m. at I-40 East Exit 398, then from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. at I-81 North Exit 23, followed by Exit 59 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The journey is expected to culminate at the Eastman Chemical Plant in Kingsport by early afternoon.
A similar alert was shared by Nagi on social media platforms, reiterating the presence of an oversized load navigating through the region and confirming the times and locations of the predicted slowdowns. The route will affect several key intersections and highway exits, as outlined by .
Motorists traveling in East Tennessee should be aware of an oversized load that will be working its way from Knoxville to Kingsport on Wednesday, July 10. Rolling roadblocks will be in place on I-40 East at Strawberry Plains, I-81 North at Mosheim and I-81 North at Kingsport. pic.twitter.com/DYuPNH0xd0
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagiTDOT) July 9, 2024
Commuters should also be aware that the secondary routes, such as those running through Morristown, Greeneville, and Johnson City, will see heightened traffic from the oversized transport. "The roadblocks are set to begin at 12 a.m. until around 3 a.m., and the load will go through Knoxville. After that, the load is estimated to run through Morristown from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.," as revealed by WBIR. The oversized load is anticipated to affect travel through these areas until it ultimately arrives at its designation in Kingsport.
This is the second incident of an oversized load passing through the region in recent times. The first similar event occurred last Friday when another large cargo successfully made its journey to Kingsport. Residents and through-travelers alike are advised to plan, seek alternative routes if possible, and stay informed about potential traffic developments throughout Wednesday's transport operation.
