Unicoi County to Get New Welcome Center at I-26 Exit 9

Nashville, Tennessee - The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has announced a final decision on the location of a new welcome center planned for Unicoi County.  Today, TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely announced that the center would be built at the Exit 9 site, which is located at Clear Branch Road off Interstate 26 near Erwin.

“After reviewing extensive public opinion on the location of the welcome center and after careful consideration about what location best served the needs of travelers on I-26, I have decided that Exit 9 is the best site,” Nicely said. “Exit 9 offers better and safer access to the welcome center and is closer to the state line, which better meets the purpose of a welcome center.”

Nicely added that TDOT has already spent more than $400,000 on preliminary engineering and design work on the Exit 9 site. 

“Plans for a welcome center at Clear Branch Road are already under development,” he said.  “It would take two years longer to start from scratch at another location.”

More than twenty interested citizens spoke out in favor of the Exit 9 location at a public meeting held by TDOT officials at Erwin City Hall in January, including State Representative David Hawk, who represents District 5.

“I’ve received many calls and letters from people on both sides of this welcome center location issue,” said Hawk.  “My stake in this is to do the right thing for Unicoi County.  And in my heart, I feel like Exit 9 is the right thing.”

Unicoi County Mayor Larry Rose said today that he is pleased the project is moving forward.  “Exit 9 will provide a picturesque view of Unicoi County for our visitors.   As more and more people come to our area, I-26 and the new welcome center will give us a chance to encourage other development.”

Tennessee has 13 welcome centers at this time.  The centers are staffed 24 hours and provide services including traveler information, access to weather bulletins, tourism information and hotel reservation assistance.

Now plans move into the design phase.  Commissioner Nicely said a design public hearing will be scheduled in June of this year.  Construction on the Erwin welcome center could tentatively begin toward the end of 2005.