News Summary
Interstate 275 is set to reopen Monday morning after the first of three scheduled closures for bridge replacement work by TDOT. The closure, which began on July 11, is expected to cause mild disruptions, with motorists advised to use alternate routes. The project includes replacing the bridge over Elm Street and Bernard Avenue and is projected to enhance safety and accessibility. TDOT aims to minimize inconveniences with innovative construction techniques and anticipates project completion by November 15.
Knoxville – Interstate 275 is set to reopen on Monday morning following the first of three scheduled closures due to bridge replacement work initiated by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). This closure, which began on July 11 at 7 p.m., will last until July 14 at 6 a.m. A second closure is slated for the weekend of July 18-21, with similar timing, and a third closure is anticipated in the fall, with exact dates yet to be confirmed. During these closure periods, motorists are advised to utilize I-40 and I-640 as alternate routes.
Local reports indicate that the impact of the closures has been mild, with many residents and drivers, including those from out of state, noting minimal traffic delays. Residents such as Joni Walker acknowledged some initial confusion but adapted to the alternate routes relatively swiftly. Though concerns about potential impacts to weekday traffic have been raised, TDOT has confirmed that these closures will not occur during weekdays, reducing the chances of significant disruptions during regular commuting hours.
The current closure facilitates the replacement of the bridge over Elm Street and Bernard Avenue. This bridge, originally constructed in 1954 and widened in 1984, has been found to require necessary structural upgrades. Mark Nagi from TDOT has indicated that advanced Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technologies are being deployed for this project to limit the inconvenience to drivers. The new bridge will employ a single-span concrete box beam design, increasing the clearance to 15 feet, 3 inches.
In addition to the bridge replacement, TDOT’s project plans include restriping Elm Street and Bernard Avenue, upgrading cross slopes on I-275, and enhancing pedestrian and bike paths on Bernard Avenue. These improvements aim to increase safety and accessibility in the area. The entire project is projected for completion by November 15, weather permitting.
With an average daily vehicle count of approximately 75,000 on I-275, the closures are expected to augment traffic congestion on nearby roads. Travelers are advised to monitor traffic conditions closely and remain attentive to the presence of construction crews on-site during this time. The efficacy of the rerouting measures appears to have been positively received, allowing for a smoother transition as the work progresses.
Moving forward, residents and regular commuters in Knoxville should prepare for periodic updates from TDOT as they work through the stages of this significant infrastructure project. The bridge replacement effort not only addresses safety concerns associated with aging infrastructure but also aims to bolster the roadway’s overall capacity to handle substantial traffic loads in the years to come.
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: I-275 to Close for Construction
- WBIR: Knoxville I-275 Bridge Closure
- WATE: I-275 Closing for Bridge Replacement
- MSN: I-275 Closure Impacting Drivers
- WBIR: Knoxville Neighbors on I-275 Bridge Replacement
- Wikipedia: Knoxville
- Google Search: I-275 Knoxville
- Google Scholar: I-275 Bridge Replacement Knoxville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Knoxville
- Google News: I-275 Knoxville
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
