By ALEXIS ZOTOS
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Cross Park Drive, off Cedar Bluff Road, in West Knoxville always winds up underwater during heavy rain. Nearby businesses have complained to the city for years to get a redesign and stop the problematic flooding. Now they're getting good news.
Whenever it rains more than half an inch, the intersection at Park Village Road in front of the Cedar Bluff Library becomes impassable.
"This has been like this for years," said Bruce Tschantz, who works nearby. "It's hazardous to traffic and an inconvenience to everyone. I feel like it's a matter of priorities. I really feel like this is a high priority concern."
City Director of Engineering Jim Hagerman says the plan to fix the intersection is finally underway.
"We plan to start construction this winter," Hagerman said. "We've gotten all the barriers out of the way. We're in the final phase of design."
It's been a long road of obstacles ever since the city annexed the area, buying easements, working around utility lines and raising funds.
"There have been a lot of hoops to jump through, and it looks like we've jumped through the last of them," Hagerman said.
The project is expected to take up to a year and will involve putting in bigger pipes and a better drainage system.
Tschantz, who's seen countless people get their vehicles trapped in flood water, hopes the plan will work.
"You can't solve these problems overnight, but the city's had years to solve these problems. I'm optimistic that the city is serious this time," he said.
Workers at the library say they'd rather have months of construction than any more years of flooding.
"I'd rather put in work on the front end than have to deal with a problem over and over again," said library manager Carol Swaggerty.
City officials say they'll work with businesses to ensure as much access as possible throughout the construction.
This is a common scene on Cross Park Drive after heavy rain.
