Pedestrian bridge to UT campus moving forward as Gay St. Bridge repair timeline takes shape
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Between the pedestrian bridge to the University of Tennessee and the ongoing Gay Street Bridge closure, bridges have become a hot topic in Knoxville. Mayor Indya Kincannon provided an update on both projects in an upcoming episode of Tennessee This Week.
Following the announcement in February that the Gay Street Bridge won't reopen to regular motor vehicle traffic, city council approved $2 million for repairs to allow pedestrian and cyclist use by early 2026. Groundwork on a plan for a full replacement over the long-term is also beginning.
South Knoxville business owners feel let down by bridge repair timeline
'We're starting the evaluations now for what that replacement bridge should look like, should it be in the same place, and what should the capacity be,' Kincannon said. 'We're going to do some traffic studies and analysis but first things first, fix the current bridge to the extent we can and that will buy us a little time as we plan for a long-term replacement.'
Loadbearing assessments will also determine if emergency vehicles and Knoxville Area Transit buses could utilize the structure after the short-term repairs. Kincannon also dispelled notions that grant funding for the University of Tennessee pedestrian bridge project could be redirected to address the Gay Street Bridge.
Tennessee plans to begin replacing G10 parking garage this fall
'The grants are very specific and they're for the places and things that where we've already evaluated,' she explained. 'The pedestrian bridge where we're partnering with the University of Tennessee has been a vision that the South Knoxville community has had for almost 20 years now. It's very specific to help revitalize that part of South Knoxville, the Vestal/ Scottish Pike area and be a key connector to jobs and opportunity to people who want to get over to the University of Tennessee.'
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the city a $25 million grant for the long-discussed pedestrian bridge to the campus while $20 million of state funds have been set aside for the project.
Despite concerns that the Trump administration's cost-cutting efforts may impact the federal grant, Kincannon said that both bridge projects are moving forward. Recent development of housing along the south waterfront where the pedestrian bridge landing will be provide an example of the project's potential to make a lasting impact.
New Rail-to-Trail project hopes to spur growth in South Knoxville
'As more people come into that area, there's more ability to sustain businesses. Coffee shops, dry cleaners, restaurants, barbershops, whatnot. That's still a work in progress, the commercial activity, but the commercial activity follows the people so having more residential development there is really exciting,' Kincannon said.
A timeline for the pedestrian bridge to the University of Tennessee campus has not yet been established. The progress also comes as university officials seek to create a Neyland Stadium Entertainment District.
Tune in to Tennessee This Week on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. to see Kincannon speak in depth about the city's recent growth, the newly-released parking plan for Covenant Health Park, and much more.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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