Knoxville Secures $17.8 Million in Federal Funding for Safer Roads Initiative

Exciting News for Knoxville: $17.8 Million for Safer Roads!

Knoxville, TN is buzzing with excitement after hearing the fantastic news that the city will receive a whopping 17.8 million dollars in federal funding! This generous support comes from the Biden administration’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which has a grand total of over 1 billion dollars available for local governments striving to improve their road infrastructure.

What’s the Plan?

With this funding, Knoxville is embarking on an ambitious project called SAFER Knoxville 2.0. This three-phase initiative aims to enhance the safety of Chapman Highway—one of the city’s busy thoroughfares. The focus will be on the segment from Blount Avenue to Woodlawn Pike, making it not only safer but also more accessible for various modes of transportation.

Mayor Indya Kincannon emphasized the importance of these improvements, especially at key spots like Augusta quarry, a popular local destination. “We want people to move around in ways other than cars,” she stated. “That invitation rings a lot truer when they can do so safely.” Essentially, the goal is to create an environment where walking and biking are both safe and convenient for everyone.

Why This Matters

Now, you might wonder why this funding is so crucial. Well, according to state data, there were 33 serious crashes reported on Chapman Highway from January 2022 to July 2024—seven of which were fatal, leading to eight deaths and injuring 59 people! Alarmingly, several of these incidents involved pedestrians. The aim of this project is to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, such tragedies from occurring in the future.

The federal documentation on this funding is all about addressing the root causes of these accidents. Issues like “high speeds”, “drivers failing to yield”, and “inconsistent pedestrian facilities” are top concerns they plan to tackle.

The Road Ahead

So, what can residents of Knoxville expect from the SAFER Knoxville 2.0 project? The plan includes constructing a brand new sidewalk on the west side of Chapman Highway, installing new pedestrian signals at intersections, and adding a median to better organize traffic. Altogether, the city plans to contribute alongside this federal fund, upping the total cost of the whole project to about 22.25 million dollars.

A Community Effort

This isn’t just a win for Knoxville! Other areas in East Tennessee like Fentress County and Dandridge, along with Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, are also set to benefit from the SS4A funding. It’s heartwarming to see communities coming together for safer roads!

Looking Forward

As Knoxville eyes the future, Mayor Kincannon shares an ambitious vision: “By 2040, we want to have zero people die on the streets of Knoxville. Every single person who dies on our streets or walking on our streets is an avoidable death… and we cannot rely on individuals to fix that.”

This project promises to transform not just Chapman Highway but the entire way people think about getting around the city. With a focus on safety and accessibility, it invites folks to explore Knoxville, whether on foot or bike instead of always needing to reach for the car keys.

There’s no denying that Knoxville is stepping in the right direction. As the SAFER Knoxville 2.0 project gets underway, we can look forward to a community that prioritizes the safety and well-being of its citizens. Keep an eye out for updates and changes ahead!