Motorists heading north on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) in Knox County this weekend should plan for alternate routes. A road construction project is set to start at the stroke of midnight tomorrow, leading to a full closure of the lanes between John Sevier Highway (State Route 168) and the UT Medical Center. The main cause for the closure is to allow contractors to safely blast, scale, and remove rock outcroppings next to the highway.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has confirmed that this move is crucial to prevent potential rockfalls, which can pose a danger to motorists and onsite workers. Those who normally travel from Blount County or McGhee-Tyson Airport will need to use I-140 (Pellissippi Parkway) to bypass the work zone. Local drivers can detour using State Route 168 (John Sevier Highway) to US 441 (Chapman Highway), while the Maloney Road Interchange will remain accessible for neighborhood traffic.
Southbound traffic will see minimal disruption, though rolling roadblocks are planned during blasting operations. These intermittent closures will also occur throughout the weekend to maintain clear access for emergency vehicles heading to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Construction work is scheduled to be completed by the early morning of Tuesday, October 7, weather permitting. If inclement weather intervenes, the project will be rescheduled for the weekend of October 18. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has cautioned drivers to expect delays and to use extra care when traveling through alternate routes, particularly while crews are on site.
