For those navigating the roads of East Tennessee in the coming week, prepare to adjust your travel times and exercise patience. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), various construction projects are scheduled for August 1-7, 2024, which will result in nightly lane closures, potential delays, and changes in traffic patterns in multiple counties including Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Jefferson, Johnson, and Knox.
Traffic along I-75 will be one of the areas greatly affected, with resurfacing projects set to take place in Anderson and Campbell counties. The construction is strategically planned to occur mostly at night to reduce the impact on peak travel times, yet motorists are still advised to be alert for possible lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. One can expect to subtly adjust their typical evening commute.
In Knox County, road maintenance work is set to disrupt I-140 West, I-640 East and West, and various interstates around Knoxville. The I-640 resurfacing project has notably reduced traffic from three lanes to two in some sections, a situation that will persist 24/7. Motorists in this region should be extra vigilant for workers and abrupt traffic changes around the construction zones. Resurfacing will also slow down movement on US 129/SR 115 Alcoa Highway, with temporary lane closures and shifts already affecting the flow of vehicles.
Bridge repair and resurfacing aren’t solely confined to interstate systems. Surface roads and state routes across the regions mentioned are also undergoing various updates. In Blount County, lane closures are anticipated on US 321/SR 73 during the resurfacing project. Commuters should prepare to encounter workers and lane closures on at least a nightly basis and should plan to possibly adjust their routes.
For real-time traffic updates and more details regarding specific project schedules, travelers are directed to visit TDOT’s official website or their construction project information page for further guidance. Always remain cautious while driving through construction zones, and consider alternative routes or leaving earlier to reach your destination timely and safely.
