Tennessee Department of Transportation
John Schroer, Commissioner

Knoxville Parkway - Proposed State Route 475

Project History

1971 - The East Tennessee Development District (ETDD) proposed a western regional bypass for Knoxville.

Early 1970's - The Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) proposed a regional beltway along with a system of regional freeways, arterials, and parkways as part of a major thoroughfare plan for the area.

1994 - The ETDD and the Knoxville-Knox County MPC requested that TDOT begin a study of the proposed Beltway.

November 11, 1994 - The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) requested TDOT to conduct a feasibility study identifying potential corridors for the western leg of a regional bypass for Knoxville.

1998-2000 - The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) proposed funding for preliminary engineering for the Beltway.

January - February 1997- Public meetings were held to gather public input on potential routes for the western beltway. Blue and Orange routes were shown. As a result of the meetings, the Blue Route was modified and the Green Route was added.

December 18, 2001 - The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was approved. The DEIS was made available for viewing at the Knoxville office of the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Region 1 Survey and Design Office
7345 Region Lane
Knoxville, TN 37914

The DEIS was also made available for viewing at local public libraries.

Other locations of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public viewing

Click Here to view the Draft Environmental Impact Statement online.

February & March 2002- Public hearings were held to allow review and comment on the DEIS and the Blue, Orange, & Green routes.

July 31, 2002 - TDOT announced that the Knoxville Beltway would follow the 38- mile "Orange Route" through West and North Knox County.

May and June 2003 - Shortly after taking office, Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely asked the University of Tennessee Center for Transportation Research to review 15 projects based on complaints Governor Bredesen heard during his 2002 campaign for Governor. Consequently the UT Center held "Listening Sessions" as part of an independent review of those projects including the Knoxville Beltway. Link to the News Release

August 15, 2003 - The results of the UT Study were published. The study recommended should TDOT decide to move ahead with the Beltway, context sensitive design concepts should be considered to involve the public in the design process. Link to the News Release     Link to the UT Study
September 2003 - Link to "Lessons Learned" from the UT Study

November 10, 2003 - Commissioner Gerald Nicely announced that TDOT would construct a modified "Orange Route," but with input from the local community. The Context Sensitive Solutions process will involve a Resource Team made up of representatives of the various stakeholders working with consultants to design a road that fits the local situation. Link to the News Release on the Commisioner's Announcement

January 29, 2004 - The Knoxville TPO recommended the Resource Team members to TDOT.

January 30, 2004 - Preliminary work began on the Knoxville Beltway Project including conducting some preliminary site research work in Knox County and surrounding areas impacted by the selected corridor. Survey crews began gathering the data to supplement aerial photography. Link to the News Release

April 5, 2004 - Initial Partnering Meeting with Resource Team. The Resource Team decided by consensus to call themselves the Regional Parkway Design Resource Team. The name change to Parkway reflects their new vision for the project and Design Resource Team better describes their role.

April 2006 – The Regional Parkway Design Resource Team’s Final Recommendation was made to TDOT with four Minority Reports included.

June 2006 – Governor Phil Bredesen and TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely announced that they accept the recommendations for the State Route 475 Knoxville Parkway submitted by the Regional Parkway Design Resource Team at a special session of the Knoxville Transportation Planning Organization. View the news release.