Highway 66
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Why is the state of Tennessee building this project?
A: If you have ever attempted to travel to the Sevierville, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg area, especially on weekends over the last 15 years, the congestion experienced has been daunting. What should
be a 45-minute drive to Gatlinburg from I-40 turns into a two hour drive with traffic often bumper to bumper along this major artery. City officials and Chamber representatives have been supportive of this project for almost two decades and until the ARRA* money became available in 2009, funds for the $40 million dollar price tag for Phase One were not available.
Q: When was it initially planned?
A: Planning for this project has been underway for nearly twenty years. City officials have encouraged TDOT since the area experienced its growth spurt in the 1990s to widen this major route from I-40. When ARRA funds became available to TDOT, it was one of the first projects put on the table for funding.
Q: Will each phase be completed before a new one is begun?
A: No. Phase 2 (between I-40 and Douglas Dam Road, SR 139) will begin fall 2010 which will be before Phase 1 is complete.
Q: What is being done to improve the road?
A: There are three phases to this project which will be widened from four to six lanes. There will also be new sidewalks and other enhanced safety features when completed.
Phase 1 ( completed in November 2011) goes from Nichols Street to Boyds Creek Highway
Phase 2 goes from I-40 to Douglas Dam (current project to be completed in November 2012),
Phase 3 (goes from Boyds Creek Highway to Douglas Dam (map); this phase was funded for 2012-2013, but has been accelerated to tentatively let in early 2012.
Q: Why is the section from I-40 to Douglas Dam Road (SR-139) going to be done before the sectionbetween Boyds Creek Highway (SR-338) and Douglas Dam Road, the middle section?
A: There has been a lot of economic growth in the area of Highway 66 and I-40. Large retail developments have located near the I-40 interchange causing congestion resulting in traffic backing onto the interstate during peak travel times.
Q: One of the purposes for ARRA is to create or save jobs. There have been statements that this project only created one job. Is that true?
A: No! An estimated 130 jobs were saved and 30 new employees were hired for this project.
This project fell on the heels of the completion of the largest project in Tennessee transportation history, SmartFIX40. The same contractor for SmartFIX40 was competitively awarded Improving66 and thus was able to avoid laying off more than 100 workers who had worked on SmartFIX40. Because this is a large project, the management and inspection of the project is being done by an engineering firm with three sub-consultants. The prime contractor also has 17 sub-contractors working to build an improved Highway 66.
Frequently Asked Questions (Phase One specific)
Q: How many lanes of traffic will be maintained during construction?
A: Two lanes of traffic will be maintained during construction. There will be times temporary lane closures will be necessary to complete the project. When lane closures are required they will be scheduled during off peak travel times.
Q: What is the speed limit through the construction zone?
A: The speed limit within the Phase II construction zone is 35 MPH. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Sevierville Police Department will be monitoring traffic through the project.
*ARRA-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress in February 2009 to help stimulate the U.S. economy by putting people back to work.
Governor Bill Haslam
