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Knoxville Drivers Should Anticipate Delays This Week

Construction sign on a street in Knoxville

News Summary

This week, Knoxville faces roadwork and events that may slow down drivers. Scheduled construction on Lovell Road and John Sevier Highway, along with exciting downtown festivities like the Knox Shamrock Fest, will affect traffic patterns. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra time for commutes, especially during evening plans, and consider alternate routes to navigate around the road closures and rolling blockages.

Knoxville Drivers Beware: Construction and Events Could Slow You Down This Week

Hey there, Knoxville! As we roll into the week of March 10, get ready to navigate through some roadworks and exciting events that could impact your drive times. Whether you’re running errands, heading to work, or just trying to enjoy the city, here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of the game!

Lovell Road Slowdowns

Starting Monday evening, residents in the Turkey Creek area should brace for some slow traffic on Lovell Road at Middlebrook Pike. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will be busy replacing signals from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday. It’s a late-night operation, so if you have evening plans, allow for some extra travel time.

Rolling Roadblocks on John Sevier Highway

Also on Monday, expect rolling roadblocks on John Sevier Highway near Alcoa Highway. This is all part of their road striping efforts, which means some brief delays, but they should be manageable. Just be patient, and before you know it, you’ll be on your way!

Temporary Lane Closures in Anderson County

In Anderson County, things won’t be much smoother. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, the Oak Ridge Turnpike near Bradley Avenue will see temporary lane closures as TDOT gets down to business with roadside work. You might want to think about alternate routes if you’re in that area during the day.

I-26 East Rolling Roadblocks

Heading into Unicoi County? Be aware that there will be rolling roadblocks on a two-mile stretch of I-26 East from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday night. This section runs between Unicoi Road and Tinker Road, so make sure you’re on the lookout for those detours!

Improvements on Chapman Highway

On the local front, crews continue their work on Chapman Highway, particularly between Simpson Road and Hendron Chapel Road, all week long. Expect some delays as TDOT makes improvements in the area.

Rutledge Pike Work and Blount County Construction

Rutledge Pike near Roberts Road will also be a hotspot for TDOT’s efforts with work scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Meanwhile, in Blount County, if you’re driving along Pellissippi Parkway between Cusick Road and Old Knoxville Highway, prepare for limited lanes due to ongoing bridge construction.

Exciting Events in Downtown Knoxville

While roadwork may be a drag, this week also brings a lot of excitement to downtown Knoxville! Saturday is all about fun with the Knox Shamrock Fest, the Lucky Kidney Run at World’s Fair Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the Knox St. Patrick’s Parade at 1 p.m.. If you’re thinking of heading downtown, be mindful of parking challenges due to these vibrant events and plan accordingly with some extra time to spare.

St. Patrick’s Day 5K and Kids Dash

If that’s not enough to get your green on, there will be a St. Patrick’s Day 5K and Kids Dash scheduled for Sunday at noon. The event kicks off and wraps up at Barley’s, so make sure to enjoy some local festivities!

McGhee Tyson Airport Entrance Closures

Additionally, if you’re jetting off soon, keep in mind that the main entrance at McGhee Tyson Airport will close over three weekends in March to accommodate heavy spring break traffic. Redirecting drivers to Hunt Road will be necessary, particularly from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on those weekends. With the airport projecting record passenger numbers next year, this $185 million parking garage construction will help improve accessibility when it opens in 2027.

KUB Construction in Fort Sanders

Lastly, KUB is busy working on outdated water and wastewater pipes in the Fort Sanders area. Though roads are being dug up, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center report no major disruptions. KUB is focused on completing its phase one projects before the city wraps up on repaving the area later.

Stay informed, Knoxville! With this mix of road work and local events, a little planning can go a long way this week. Safe travels!