Section of I-40 closed for next 14 months

Section of I-40 closed for next 14 months

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Tennessee Department of Transportation crews closed a nine-tenths of a mile section of Interstate 40 in downtown Knoxville late Wednesday night.

I-40 will remain closed between James White Parkway (Exit 388) and Hall of Fame Drive (Exit 389)  for about 14 months to allow construction crews to complete the final phases of the SmartFIX 40 project.

The complete closure will allow crews to work 24/7 without any traffic interruptions.

TDOT officials say the $275 million project will be finished by June 30, 2009, saving at least two years of construction time, the state estimates.

I-40 will be widened to six through lanes and four auxiliary lanes. Plus, crews will build nine bridges, 14 retaining walls and three noise walls.

Two existing bridges will be demolished, 12 side roads will be completed and seven new ramps will be built.

SmartFIX will also include sound barriers being constructed along the I-40 corridor adjacent to both the Fourth and Gill and Parkridge communities.

The project is also expected to help the First Creek flooding problems north of the interstate. 

First Creek currently flows in a box culvert under I-40. The culvert will be replaced by longer span bridges, which will lower the upstream headwater to help control flooding.

The SmartFIX project doesn't include the intersection of Broadway and Hall of Fame Drive, where drivers getting off I-40 are only routed in one direction. This intersection is being reviewed as a separate feasibility study.

During the closure, eastbound and westbound I-40 traffic will be rerouted onto I-640.

The state says access to and from downtown Knoxville will be maintained throughout the SmartFIX construction process.

Local traffic will have several alternate routes to get to and from downtown and the University of Tennessee.

Eastbound drivers can use James White Parkway, Henley Street or Alcoa Highway.

Westbound drivers can use Hall of Fame Drive to get to Neyland Drive and the South Knoxville Bridge.

Contractors have installed over 200 new signs directing drivers to the detours.

Closure updates and traffic shift information can be found at www.smartfix40.com or by calling the project hotline at (865)-329-GO40 (4640).

Drivers can also dial 511 statewide or tune to 1620 AM along East Tennessee interstates to get updated traffic information.

If you have a question about the SmartFIX 40 closure and how it will affect your commute, you can fill out this online contact form or call at 637-NEWS and ask for the Street Wise hotline.