On Friday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation announced it had completed its Comprehensive Strategy for the I-40/I-75 corridor in West Knoxville.
The TDOT’s 10-year plan, released in December of last year, identified improvements for the corridor and the preliminary engineering of the Sharps Gap Interchange. The new strategy combines the projects and takes the holistic approach to the corridor, officials said.
“By shifting focus from individual projects to a comprehensive strategy we can better address long-term needs for this corridor and maximize the value of investments,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “Thanks to Governor Lee prioritizing infrastructure, we’re transforming how TDOT approaches delivery leading to a more efficient use of resources and improved project outcomes.”
The new approach will alleviate congestion along the 17-mile stretch between the I-75 split in Loudon County and the I-640 split in Knox County, officials said. Backups in the area due to congestion have become commonplace, with more than 205,000 vehicles using it every day.
“This stretch of interstate is a vital pathway for Tennesseans and for the entire East Tennessee economy,” says Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally. “With that, we have experienced tremendous growth, congestion, and unreliable trip times. I am excited to partner with the Department of Transportation to advance solutions that benefit multiple communities along this corridor in a comprehensive manner.”
Over the next year and a half to two years, TDOT will invest in the engineering to determine what improvements need to be made to decrease congestion and reduce travel times. The engineering will focus on enhancements to the I-40/I-75 corridor.