Drivers navigating through Knox County this week should plan for some extra travel time. Due to necessary bridge work, several ramps to I-275 North will be facing closures that might throw a wrench in nightly commutes. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has announced that, starting from Sunday evening, June 22, these intermittent closures will be in effect to facilitate asbestos removal from the bridge as well as demolition of the center median barrier wall and bridge deck, according to the TDOT.
While working on demolition, ramps affected will include I-40 East to I-275 North and Henley Street to I-275 North, among others. These shutdowns are scheduled between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. until Friday, June 27, signaling commuters to reroute their drive or pack some patience. Leaflets and signs around the area are expected to inform traversing masses, but with the schedule subject to our ever-changing weather conditions, TDOT suggests staying vigilant for updates.
The closures, detailed by TDOT, specifically target the I-40 East to I-275 North (Exit 387A), Henley Street to I-275 North, and I-40 West to I-275 North (Exit 387A) ramps. These disruptions come as a precursor to a broader bridge replacement scheduled for July over Elm Street/Bernard Avenue. For motorists, this means rerouting and recalibrating their travel strategies for the nights affected.
