The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:46 PM
Tennessee DOT Says Final Weekend Of Bridge Repair Work Will Start in Week
Crews said the construction will begin Friday, April 13 at 8:00 at night.
Typically, lane closures near mile marker 380 in West Hills began at 10 a.m. Saturday and finished on Sunday.
"This is the fourth weekend of bridge work on Interstate 40 in West Knoxville," said Mark Nagi, TDOT's community relations officer.
Major slowdowns have been reported in previous weekends near West Town Mall, and with a busy weekend downtown, officials said more backups are possible.
"There's always something going on and we understand that it's a major inconvenience to have this work take place, but this is necessary work. We're trying to limit the impact as much as we can," Nagi said.
The weekend of April 7 was especially inconvenient with several events happening across Knoxville, including the Rhythm N' Blooms festival.
Nagi said TDOT has planned for one more weekend to complete the bridge work, as long as weather cooperates.
"With this work it is always weather permitting, so we can get a lot of this work done if it's raining," Nagi said. "If we're talking about severe weather then it might be pushed to another weekend."
Nagi said crews would keep a close eye on the weekend forecast. If they have to cancel, they'll work the next available weekend. Nagi said TDOT would be cautious about busy travel weekends.
"If this work ended up having to be pushed to that weekend, we won't have bridge repair work take place the weekend of the Orange and White game, you would see that work take place on April 28," Nagi said.
While traffic can be frustrating as you're trying to get around town, Nagi said it's just as hard on his workers, but the job has to get done.
"They're working long hours to get this work done and at the end of the day this is a safer and more efficient road way for years to come," Nagi said.