UPPER CUMBERLAND – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has significant highway construction going on throughout the Upper Cumberland region that will drastically impact travelers. The following are the traffic advisories for construction throughout the Upper Cumberland for Nov. 22 – Dec. 2, listed by county and an estimated completion date.
In anticipation of increased holiday travel, the Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12 noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27 through 6 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.
Interstate Construction
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 Construction of a truck climbing lane EB near MM 339, including grading, drainage, and paving: Construction signs, guardrail (westbound), and portable barrier rail (eastbound) have been installed. The contractor has begun grade work in the median behind portable barrier rail. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, use caution, and be aware of construction personnel in the work zone and equipment that will be entering/exiting the roadway. Estimated project completion date is June 2020.
State Road Construction
REGION 2 The crack sealing at various locations on various State Routes:The contractor will continue the crack sealing process on various state routes in the following UC Counties: Van Buren and Warren. The contractor will be working 7 days per week from 6AM – 7PM. The progress work will be supported by mobile lane closures as crews transition the work zones along state routes for sealant work. Signage and flaggers will be present during this work. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and be alert to construction personnel and equipment. Estimated project completion date is December 2019.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SR-1 (US-70) Emergency slope stabilization near LM 26.6: Construction signs, portable barrier rail, and temporary traffic signals have been installed. SR-1 (US-70) will be reduced to one lane between Godsey Road and Renegade Mountain Parkway while slope stabilization is in process. Motorists should exercise caution and pay attention to temporary traffic signals as they travel through the work zone. Estimated project completion date is November 2019.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SR-101 (Peavine Road) Grading, drainage, and paving from Firetower Road to Westchester/Catoosa Boulevard: As grade work progresses, motorists should be alert for shifts in traffic patterns to allow for construction activities. Traffic has been shifted from Lakeview Drive to past Woodgate Circle with the existing Peavine Road serving as a frontage road to access businesses in that area. The posted speed limit has been reduced from 45 MPH to 35 MPH within the work zone. Temporary lane closures may be needed to support paving and other activities. Motorists should reduce speed on Peavine Road and be alert for construction personnel/equipment entering and exiting the roadway. Estimated project completion date is November 2020.
DEKALB COUNTY TDOT Contractor on SR-96 (DALE RIDGE RD.) USACE Dam restoration project in both directions from LM 12.5 to LM 13.5: One lane is closed and traffic is being controlled by a temporary signal due to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam restoration work. Motorists should exercise caution as they travel through the work zone. Estimated project completion date is June 2020.
DEKALB AND WARREN COUNTY SR-56 Construction of bridges and paving from south of Warren-Dekalb County line to East Bryant St: The contractor has begun construction on the first two concrete box culverts. The contractor has started grade work and utility work on the new roadway alignment. No change in traffic patterns. Motorists are advised to use caution and watch for construction equipment adjacent to roadway. Flaggers may be present while equipment is off-loaded or crossing the roadway. Estimated project completion date is May 2022.
FENTRESS COUNTY Rotten Fork Road over Rotten Fork of the Wolf River Bridge Replacement: The contractor is currently working on new bridge at Rotten Fork Road at LM 0.135. Rotten Fork Road remains open to traffic while the new bridge is being constructed. The contractor is performing grade work at the beginning of Rotten Fork Road to construct the new roadway alignment so an alternate traffic pattern is in place. Motorists are advised to use caution and watch for construction equipment adjacent to roadway. Estimated project completion date is December 2019.
FENTRESS COUNTY Vines Ridge Road over Big Laurel Creek Bridge Replacement: Vines Ridge Road remains closed at LM 1.06 and will remain closed until the new bridge is constructed and in place. Approximate date for the length of closure is 11/30/19. Motorists should seek an alternate route around Vines Ridge Road near the location of construction. Estimated project completion date is December 2019.
FENTRESS AND OVERTON COUNTY SR-85 Emergency slide repairs at various locations: The roadway is closed from LM 18.4 to LM 22.4 in Overton county. SR-85 will be opened to one lane of traffic in Fentress County between LM 3.50 to 8.00. The contractor is continuing work on this contract in the two areas listed above. The contractor has placed temporary traffic signals and will use portable barrier rail where the roadway will be reduced to one lane to allow traffic to flow through the work zone. It is anticipated that SR 85 in Fentress County will be open to both lanes of traffic by 11/29/2019. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and seek alternate routes. RESTRICTIONS: Loads wider than 10′ should seek alternate route. Estimated project completion date is January 2020.
OVERTON COUNTY SR-111: The contractor currently has SR-111 from the LM 2.25 to the 3.75 reduced to one lane in each direction. This lane closure will remain until approximately 11/29/19. In addition to the lane closure, the speed limit through the work zone has been decreased to 55 MPH for the safety of the motoring public and the contractor’s personnel. SR-293 is affected at the intersection of SR-111 with the median crossings being closed for the duration of the project. Motorists are encouraged to obey 55 MPH speed limit and watch for construction operations adjacent to the roadway. RESTRICTIONS: Loads wider than 14′ should seek alternate route.Estimated project completion date is December 2019.
OVERTON COUNTY SR-294 Bridge repair over Big Eagle Creek: The contractor has placed barrier rail and has reduced the roadway to one lane. This lane reduction will remain until contract completion scheduled for 06/15/20. During this time, a temporary traffic signal will be in operation allowing traffic to flow through the work zone. Motorists should use caution through the work zone, obey posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop at the traffic signal. RESTRICTIONS: No loads wider than 10 feet.Estimated project completion date is June 2020.
PUTNAM COUNTY Utility Work on SR-135 (S. WILLOW AVE.) in both directions from LM 8.6 to LM 9.4: Signage and flaggers will be present for overhead work along S. Willow Ave between State St and Orchard St and between Humble Rd and Interstate Dr. The speed limit will be reduced, motorists should use caution and be aware of personnel and equipment from 9 am – 2 pm with an estimated completion date of 11/26/2019.
PUTNAM COUNTY Utility Work on SR-136 (N. WASHINGTON AVE.) in both directions between East 1st St and East 4th St.: Signage and flaggers will be present for overhead work along N Washington Ave between East 1st St and East 4th St. The speed limit will be reduced, motorists should use caution and be aware of personnel and equipment from 9 am – 2 pm with an estimated completion date of 11/26/2019.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-136 Resurfacing from US-70N (SR-24) to north of Whiteaker Springs Road: Work will be performed on existing sidewalks and concrete curb ramps. This will result in lane closures each night on SR-136 between the hours of 7 PM and 6 AM. Motorists should use caution and be prepared for slowed traffic when traveling through the workzone. Estimated project completion date is June 2020.
SMITH COUNTY, Bridge Repair on SR 53 over Mulherrin Creek (LM 7.18) From now through April 2020: SR 53 will be reduced to one 9′ lane at the bridge over Mulherrin Creek for bridge work. Traffic will be controlled by temporary signals.
WARREN COUNTY SR-288 Construction of a concrete bulb-tee beam bridge over Collins River, including grading, drainage and paving: The bridge is currently reduced to one 10.5-foot lane to allow the contractor to construct the new bridge. While the bridge is down to one lane, traffic will be maintained and controlled by a temporary signal. Motorists should expect periodic delays and use caution in the work zone. RESTRICTIONS: 10.5 foot lane.Estimated project completion date is December 2019.
WHITE COUNTY SR-1 (US-70) Repair of the bridge over the Calfkiller River in Sparta: The Calfkiller bridge in Sparta is in the third of the three phases of lane closures. These phases will affect between Wilson Street and Church Street. This third phase will restrict both directions of traffic to one lane each. Workers will be working on the eastbound side of the bridge. Motorists are advised to use extreme caution and be alert to all construction signage while traveling through the work zone. Estimated project completion date is November 2019.
