TDOT Media Advisory
Temporary clearance decrease for Summit Hill Bridge over James White Parkway

Knoxville, Tenn.—The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced today that the clearance for the Summit Hill Bridge over northbound James White Parkway will temporarily decrease from 16 feet 10 inches to 14 feet six inches on July 26, 2006. The clearance will return to its original height after the reconstruction of James White Parkway is complete in September 2007.

“When we set the bridge beams, the clearance for the Summit Hill Bridge will decrease. However, during the reconstruction phase we will lower James White Parkway, therefore returning the clearance to 16 feet 10 inches,” said Ray Bell Construction spokesperson Jeff Walker.

Message boards have been placed on James White Parkway to alert motorists of the upcoming change. TDOT estimates that an average 42,273 vehicles use James White Parkway daily.

SmartFIX40 is an accelerated construction process used by the department to speed up construction. It involves closing the primary roadway at a designated project to allow around-the-clock work that is uninterrupted by traffic in order to dramatically reduce the time it takes to complete the project, thereby reducing the long-term inconveniences to drivers.

In the SmartFIX40 project, James White Parkway will be closed for nine months in 2007. Also, I-40 will be closed for 14 months starting in the spring of 2008, during which time through traffic will be rerouted onto I-640. Local traffic will have access to downtown at all times. Over two years of traffic delays, lane closures and motorist frustrations will be avoided by allowing construction crews the opportunity to work without restriction from moving traffic while traffic is rerouted from I-40. I-40 through downtown Knoxville carries an average of 103,000 vehicles a day.