Exciting Road Developments Set to Transform Powell’s Traffic Landscape

Exciting Road Developments Coming to Powell!

Hey Powell residents! Big news is buzzing in our lovely city as there are several major road projects on the horizon, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share all the details with you!

Revamping the Intersection at Beaver Creek Road

Starting in 2025, the intersection of Beaver Creek Road and Clinton Highway will undergo a major makeover. This is set to improve the flow of traffic in the area, making it a lot safer and more convenient for everyone. The Knox County Commission has approved funding for these enhancements, so we can expect some exciting changes!

W. Emory Road Expansion

We’re not done just yet! There’s also an expansion of W. Emory Road, which will be widened from Clinton Highway all the way to the new Belltown development. This project will include a turn lane, funded by the developer, and traffic signal installation at the main entrance of Belltown. The new development isn’t just about roads – it also offers a lovely park spanning over 40 acres filled with picnic spots, trails for walking and biking, a dog park, a kayak launch, and sports fields! Sounds like a great place for family outings!

Updates from the Powell Business and Professional Association

At the recent meeting of the Powell Business and Professional Association on September 10, 2024, Steve Borden from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Cathy Olsen from Knox County Engineering and Public Works discussed these projects and more. They informed us that approximately *900 projects* were competing for funding, but only *90 spots* made it to the current TDOT capital plan. That’s a lot of competition!

Highlighting Schaad Road Improvements

Another big project Olsen mentioned is the Schaad Road improvement project, which is expected to cost around *$100 million* by the time it’s completed. Once finished, we’ll enjoy a *safe, four-laned connector* stretching from Clinton Highway to Lovell Road. Currently, the contractor is hard at work, and they’re expecting to wrap up this phase of the project in about *6 to 8 weeks*.

New Pedestrian Bridge on the Horizon

For those walking or biking around Powell, get ready for a new pedestrian bridge over Beaver Creek, expected to begin construction *late next year*. This bridge is part of a grant to connect sidewalks along E. Emory Road with Powell Drive and Beaver Creek Road, providing a safe passage for students to evacuate to Crown College in an emergency. How great is that?

Changes at Emory Road and I-75

Another exciting development coming up is the long-awaited upgrades at Emory Road and I-75, which should kick off in *2025*. This project includes unique “diverging diamond” ramps that will streamline traffic onto Emory Road toward Halls or Powell more efficiently. While we don’t have an exact date yet, Borden estimated it would probably take around *24-28 months* to complete once the work begins.

Addressing Major Traffic Concerns

With *Knox County’s population* growing by *16% from 2020 to 2024*, there are also plans for a whopping *$600 million* project in Sharps Gap that aims to modernize the interchanges of interstates 75, 275, and 640 to accommodate the increased traffic flow. It’s a big task, but definitely necessary for us to keep moving smoothly.

Other interesting developments include the potential for new toll roads, dubbed “choice lanes,” and the strategic closing and replacement of the weigh station just past the Watt Road interchange on 40/75. While still in the planning phase, these improvements are meant to tackle congestion and enhance travel efficiency.

We look forward to these exciting changes coming to Powell! Stay tuned, and let’s keep our fingers crossed for smooth travels ahead!