The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Staff Reports
Posted: Monday, January 01, 2018 12:28 PM
Downtown Cumberland Ave Construction To Wrap-Up In Mid-August
Anne Wallace, with the City of Knoxville, said, "We're getting very, very close. It's so exciting."
City officials expect crews will wrap up by mid-August. Traffic should be flowing by the time UT freshmen move in on August 13 and classes begin on August 23.
Wallace said, "We'll be out of the way before classes start, and we're very excited."
However, crews did have to push back landscaping along the street. That includes planting trees, which will begin in the fall.
"And that'll really give the final push and final finished product for the street," said Wallace.
In the next couple weeks, crews will finish re-surfacing and paving the avenue and side streets, along with putting down crosswalks.
Rahman Rogers, a UT senior, said, "It gets pretty hectic seeing a lot of students come in and struggle crossing the streets. As well with it being jam packed, slowing up traffic."
Officials said they're staying on deadline and within the $17 million budget.
The project began more than two years ago, and UT students said they're hopeful for the finished face-lift.
Belvin said, "Help traffic flow issues. I saw what it was like before they started fixing it. It was like the wild west. You kind of ran across and hope not to get hit by a car kind of thing."
City officials said the project makes Cumberland Avenue a destination.
Wallace said, "And I think it's going to be a great year, and they're really going to see a transformed Cumberland Avenue."
That transformation includes improved safety with sidewalks and aesthetics.
They also said this sets the stage for the next 50 years.
Rogers said, "After everything comes in, I think it will be pretty beneficial for everyone."
City officials also said the project has brought in $190 million in investments from private companies including new apartment complexes and a Hilton Garden Inn.
