The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced a plethora of roadwork across several counties, including Cumberland and Fentress. Starting September 15, expect to plan ahead for potential delays, especially since a THP-assisted rolling roadblock will be in action on I-40, requiring speed reductions and readiness for unexpected stops from MM 304.4 to MM 327.
For those frequently traversing the SR-28, be on the lookout for bridge construction and paving that would lead to temporary lane closures, according to TDOT's roadway activity report. And if you're driving on SR-1 (US-HWY. 70 W.), ongoing utility work may disrupt the flow from LM 0.04 to LM 2.71 until the end of September. Trucks equipped with strobe lights and signage are likely to grace the congested scenes.
In the cityscape of Crossville, the SR-28 Main Street pedestrian improvement project continues its stride with concrete sidewalk replacements along the historic roadway. Those parked to the nearby shops might need to scout for new spots as on-street parking will be closed off. Meanwhile, folks in Cumberland and Fentress counties are advised to keep their eyes for crews swarming the SR-28, undertaking a widening operation that should be on every local's radar.
Data emerging from the roadwork front reveals bridge replacement chaos over the Obed River on SR-1 (US-70), mandating drivers to seek solace in detour routes just to cross to the other side. Also, the one lane reduced to a narrow pathway on SR-85, due to ongoing bridge repair, overseen by those ubiquitous temporary traffic signals, serves as a checkpoint for the patience of everyday motorists. The whims of construction have dictated that flaggers intermittently shepherd traffic through the zones of toil, but rest assured the annoyance of wait is met by the promise of progress on SR-135, where a formidable concrete slab bridge is rising to form.
Weekend getaways along the picturesque route of SR-111 may hit a snag with resurfacing operations slated to start mid-September, a period when the fall foliage starts. And for those voyaging through Jackson County, the SR-135 is strictly off-limits from LM 6.31 – 7.76 due to some serious rockfall mitigation work, with recommended detours guiding you off the beaten path, an inconvenience, perhaps, but a necessary interlude for safety, the ethos always at the heart of Tennessee's road maintenance odyssey.
