Countdown to the I-40 Closure Continues
90 days Away From the Closure of I-40 in Knoxville

Knoxville,TN. - The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is now 90 days away from the 14-month closure of a segment of I-40 in downtown Knoxville. On Thursday, May 1, 2008, a short section of I-40, located between James White Parkway (Exit 388) and Hall of Fame Drive (Exit 389), will close for reconstruction as part of the final phase of the SmartFIX40 project. This closure will allow around-the-clock work without any traffic interruptions. The project will be completed on or before June 30, 2009 and will save almost 23 months of construction time.

During the closure, this segment of I-40 will be widened to six through lanes and four auxiliary lanes. In addition to interstate improvements, work will include the construction of nine bridges, 14 retaining walls and three noise walls. Additionally, two existing bridges will be demolished, 12 side roads will be completed and seven new ramps will be constructed.

Beginning May 1, eastbound and westbound I-40 traffic will be rerouted onto I-640. Access to and from downtown Knoxville will be maintained throughout construction. Local traffic will have a number of alternate routes to get to and from downtown and the University of Tennessee. Eastbound motorists can use James White Parkway, Henley Street or Alcoa Highway. Westbound motorists can use the new Hall of Fame Drive to get to Neyland Drive and the South Knoxville Bridge.

SmartFIX40 is TDOT’s single most expensive construction project in its 90 year history. Broken into two separate contracts, SmartFIX40 has a price tag of $190 million. SmartFIX40 is an accelerated construction process that involves closing a primary roadway 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 inconvenience to motorists.