Will Alcoa Highway construction ever be finished? You may not like the answer

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a day ago

The heavily traveled Alcoa Highway is like a useful old truck you've driven for years. As much as you've always depended on it, now it just keeps needing more work.
In the case of Alcoa Highway, that work has been going on since 2016, prompting frustrated drivers to wonder when ‒ or if ‒ the project will ever be finished.
The highway ‒ also known as State Route 115 and U.S. 129 ‒ is a primary connector between Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. McGhee Tyson Airport is a major destination as well.
Alcoa Highway construction is meant to improve "capacity, geometric deficiencies and safety issues throughout the corridor," according to tn.gov.
The work along Alcoa Highway will eventually be finished, but it might be later than many drivers are hoping, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
What are they building on Alcoa Highway?
The Alcoa Highway project widens and adds safety improvements to the thoroughfare.
The huge project is divided into seven segments. Two segments have been completed, three are under construction, one is scheduled to begin in 2028, and the last one has not yet had timing set.
The current work involves grading, constructing reinforcing soil walls, relocating phone and internet lines, erecting beams for one of the bridges, installing a storm drain and retaining wall construction.
"To date the contractor has worked to progress the phase 1 of the project," TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi said in an email to Knox News. "This work includes the construction of LifeStar Road, the installation of utilities including water, gas, electric, and communication relocations. In addition, the contractor has worked on the beginning of the construction of 12 retaining walls, two bridges, proposed storm drain, as well as grading efforts for the roadway widening."
Why are there rolling roadblocks on Alcoa Highway?
Traffic patterns have changed as construction shifts, but at least two lanes are open on Alcoa Highway, one in each direction.
To accommodate construction work, TDOT periodically implements rolling roadblocks that delay traffic where work is happening.
Because of the lanes still open to traffic, there are no established detours.
For project updates, you can check the TDOT Facebook page, check the Alcoa Highway traffic impacts page on the TDOT website and get real-time information about Tennessee highways at smartway.tn.gov.
What parts of Alcoa Highway are being worked on in Knox County?
Each day, approximately 57,842 vehicles travel on Alcoa Highway near Cherokee Trail and the UT Medical Canter campus each day.
The section from north of Maloney Road to Woodson Drive was completed in 2023.
From south of Little River to north of Maloney Road, this section is under construction and planned for completion this summer.
The highway from Woodson Drive to the Cherokee Trail Interchange is under construction and is expected to be completed in fall 2027.
Additional information on the Woodson Drive to the Cherokee Trail Interchange:
This section is the largest design, bid and build project awarded by the department in its history, according to Nagi. Charles Blalock & Sons Inc. of Sevierville was awarded the contract in 2023 at a cost $186 million.
"Improvements follow the existing alignment and consist of widening the existing roadway to six lanes (three in each direction)," Nagi said. "A modified interchange will be included at Cherokee Trail and at the entrance to UT Medical Center."
What parts of Alcoa Highway are being worked on in Blount County?
Roughly 51,131 vehicles travel on Alcoa Highway near the Blount County line each day.
A segment from north of SR 35 (Hall Road) to the proposed interchange at Tyson Boulevard was completed in summer 2022.
A segment from the proposed interchange at Tyson Boulevard to SR 115 at South Singleton Station is under construction, with an estimated completion date in fall 2027.
Under construction, estimated to be finished in 2028, the relocated Alcoa Highway from the proposed interchange at Tyson Boulevard to SR 115 at South Singleton Station.
The section from South Singleton Station to south of Little River is under construction with a completion date still to be announced.
When will the entire Alcoa Highway project be completed?
"Overall, this is a 13-mile corridor on Alcoa Highway between the Cherokee Trail interchange in Knox County to Hall Road in Blount County. For the entire corridor to be complete, you are probably looking into the 2030s," Nagi emailed Knox News.
Bad news for drivers who are ready to be finished with rolling roadblocks. It will take into the next decade before the entire Alcoa Highway project is complete.
Myron Thompson reports on public safety for Knox News. Email: [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Alcoa Highway construction: When the huge project may be over
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