News Summary
Drivers in Knoxville are advised to expect altered traffic patterns and extended travel times during the week of June 16 as multiple construction projects commence. The TDOT will close ramps to I-275 North overnight for demolition work, while city contractors will repair the 17th Street Bridge. Additionally, significant construction on a new roundabout and the Delaney Building continues. Local events such as the SoKno Pride Run and Knoxville Brewfest are also expected to draw crowds, impacting traffic further.
Knoxville – Drivers in the Knoxville area should prepare for altered traffic patterns and extended travel times during the week of June 16 due to multiple construction projects. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews will be active on several ramps to I-40 and I-275 in Knox County, where they will remove asbestos and demolish the center median barrier wall. As a result, ramps to I-275 North will be intermittently closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the end of the week.
In addition, city contractors are conducting necessary repairs on the 17th Street Bridge located in the Fort Sanders area of Knoxville. This work aims to extend the bridge’s lifespan, with the project expected to be completed by mid-August. On Tuesday night, lane closures will also take place on I-75 North in Anderson County, as crews repair a guardrail situated between Norris and Lake City exits. This work will commence at 8 p.m. and will last until 6 a.m. the following day.
Further construction will begin on Tuesday near Kingston in Roane County, where workers will be restoring and enhancing the environment along I-40 West, operating from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Asine construction projects influence travel, Knoxville also has several events scheduled for the weekend. On Saturday, the SoKno Pride Run at Hi-Wire Brewing and the SoKno Pride Festival on Sevier Avenue will draw considerable crowds. Concurrently, the 14th annual Knoxville Brewfest is set to take place at World’s Fair Park on the same day.
In ongoing development news, construction is now underway for a new roundabout at the intersection of Island Home and Sevier Avenue. The project is estimated to take two years to complete and will cost approximately $19 million. Additionally, the Delaney Building—a nine-story structure currently nearing completion—will feature about forty condominiums on its upper levels, while its first floor will include commercial spaces. T. Ralph’s Burgers & Fries and Disco Chicken and Donuts are anticipated to open in the Delaney Building this fall.
Another notable construction project is the Axle Logistics Building, a five-story structure designed to accommodate 900 employees, which is currently nearing the completion of its exterior phase. Meanwhile, the Pryor Brown Garage has been completely demolished, leaving a vacant block available for potential future development.
At the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Melrose Hall, an aging student facility, is slated for demolition to make way for a new 116,000-square-foot Student Success Center, which is planned to open in Fall 2027. This new facility will include classrooms, auditoriums, staff offices, and lounges, with the total estimated cost for the project being $108 million.
These construction updates and traffic advisories signify significant developments for Knoxville, affecting both residents and visitors. As work progresses on key infrastructure, the city continues to evolve with new projects aimed at enhancing the community’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.
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Additional Resources
- Inside of Knoxville: Downtown Development Update May 2025
- Google Search: Knoxville construction news
- WBIR: McGhee Tyson Airport Sinkhole
- Wikipedia: Knoxville
- BDC Network: University of Tennessee Student Success Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Knoxville
- KNIACRLS: Gas Line Hit Near Road Construction in Knoxville
- Google News: Knoxville local events
