UPPER CUMBERLAND – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and several local governments have 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 Aug. 20-26, listed by county and an estimated completion date.
Interstate Construction
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 Construction of a truck climbing lane EB near MM 339, including grading, drainage, and paving: No nighttime lane closures are scheduled at this time. Work is in progress on the eastbound exit ramp at MM 340. A temporary detour lane with portable barrier rail has been constructed to allow the contractor to safely remove and replace the existing concrete ramp. Permanent signs are also being installed. Motorists should use caution at the MM 340 exit ramp and as they travel through the work zone.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 Resurfacing from the SR-101 ramp to east of SR-1 (US-70): Nighttime lane closures will be required both eastbound and westbound on I-40 from the Peavine Road exit (MM 322) to the Crab Orchard exit (MM 329) to perform milling and paving at Daddy’s Creek Bridge (MM 326). Other work will include permanent pavement markings, rumble strips, delineators, and permanent signs. The speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph during working hours. Future work will require the Daddy’s Creek Bridges at MM 326 to be reduced to one lane in each direction for a weekend period to apply an epoxy overlay. Queue trucks and THP will assist with traffic control as needed.
CUMBERLAND AND PUTNAM COUNTY TDOT Maintenance on I-40 westbound from MM 290 to MM 335: Intermittent outside shoulder closures will occur for surveying operations. Closures will take place from 8 AM to 3:30 PM on 08/19/20 and 08/20/20. Motorists should use caution when travelling through the area.
SMITH COUNTY I-40 Resurfacing and bridge repair at MM 263-268: Nightly, 8 PM – 5 AM, There will be intermittent lane closures on I-40 in both directions for construction.
Regional Road Work
CLAY AND OVERTON COUNTY The resurfacing (microsurfacing) on SR-294 from Oakley Allons Road (LM 6.8) in Overton County to Willow Grove Road (LM 7.6) in Clay County: The contractor will be on site continuing work on resurfacing operations. During this time, the contractor will utilize flaggers and will close one lane allowing paving operations to occur. Advanced warning signs will be used to warn motorists of the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to obey posted speed limit and watch for warning signs.
State Road Construction
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) has been reduced to one lane between Godsey Road and Renegade Mountain Parkway while slope stabilization is in process. Remaining work may require short term lane stoppages. Motorists should exercise caution and pay attention to temporary traffic signals as they travel through the work zone.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SR-101 (Peavine Road) Grading, drainage, and paving from Firetower Road to Westchester/Catoosa Boulevard: Motorists should use caution while driving along Peavine Road and be alert for changes in traffic patterns. The posted speed limit has been reduced from 45 MPH to 35 MPH within the work zone. Peavine Road will be closed from Fairview Blvd to just past the Catoosa / Westchester intersection with detours posted. Base stone, paving, blasting operations, storm drain installation, and utility relocation are in progress. Temporary lane closures and/or traffic stoppages may be needed as these construction activities continue. Motorists should reduce speed on Peavine Road and be alert for construction personnel/equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SR-24 (US-70N) Resurfacing from SR-1 (US-70) to SR-28 (US-127), and SR-28 (US-127) resurfacing from south of Elmore Road (LM 15) to Huddle Road (LM 17.9), including bridge deck repair: Milling activities and paving are in progress on SR-24 (Elmore Road) and SR-28 (US-127). Other work will include signal loop replacement, catch basin repair, and pavement marking. This work will require temporary nighttime lane closures with traffic control devices and flagging as necessary. Motorists should be alert as conditions are subject to change each night.
DEKALB AND WARREN COUNTY SR-56 Construction of bridges and paving from south of Warren-Dekalb County line to East Bryant St: The contractor will continue installing concrete box culverts and drainage structures. Grade work, bridge work, and utility work on the new roadway alignment are ongoing. No change in traffic patterns, traffic is still using the existing SR-56. Motorists are advised to use caution and watch for construction equipment adjacent to roadway. Flaggers may be present to move equipment across roadway, unload equipment, or complete utility work. A portion of County House Road will be closed to allow the contractor to complete work in that area. Motorist should follow posted signs for County House Road detour until work is complete. The contractor is working at the intersection of South Tittsworth Road and the new alignment. Traffic will be shifted onto a diversion to allow contractor to construct new alignment. Motorists should use caution in this area and watch for flaggers.
FENTRESS AND OVERTON COUNTY SR-85 Emergency slide repairs at various locations: The contractor continues work on the Overton County side of SR-85 and the road remains closed from LM 17.5 to LM 22.2. This closure will remain in effect until the project completion scheduled for 09/30/20. The Fentress County portion of SR-85 remains open to through traffic. A detour route remains in place for Overton SR-85 and motorists are encouraged to continue using the detour route until the road is opened.
PUTNAM COUNTY Utility Work on SR-290 (W. 12TH ST.) in both directions from LM 5.81 to LM 6.38: Lane closures will occur between N. Franklin Road and N. Willow Avenue with signage, barrels and cones. Motorists should use caution and be aware of personnel and equipment when traveling through the work zones. Traffic may be reduced to a single lane in some locations between 9 AM to 2 PM from 07/15/20 through 10/16/20.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-135 (South Willow Ave.) Resurfacing from south of Grider Road to north of State Street, including bridge expansion joint repair: The contractor will be removing and pouring concrete curb ramps and adjusting manholes. Nightly lane closures (Sunday through Thursday), during the hours of 9 PM to 6 AM, on SR-135 from South of Grider Rd. (LM 7.38) to North of State Street (LM 9.75). Motorists are advised to use caution while traveling through the work zone and be alert of all traffic signage, personnel, and equipment.
SMITH COUNTY, emergency slope stabilization on U.S. 70 (S.R. 24) near L.M. 12.95: From now through July 2020, U.S. 70 (SR 24) is reduced to one 11-foot lane. Temporary traffic signal in place for traffic control.
VAN BUREN COUNTY Utility Work on SR-284 (PARK RD.) in both directions from LM 3.01 to LM 4.69: Mobile lane closure along Highway 284 between SR-30 and Deweese Road. Motorists should be prepared to stop, be aware of personnel and equipment. Signage and flaggers will be present between 9 am – 2 pm from 08/17/20 through 08/21/20.
VAN BUREN COUNTY Utility Work on SR-285 (MOONEYHAM-LONEWOOD RD.) in both directions from LM 7.30 to LM 8.84: Mobile lane closure along Highway 285 between SR-30 and Mockingbird Road. Motorists should be prepared to stop and be aware of personnel and equipment. Signage and flaggers will be present between 9 am – 2 pm from 08/24/20 through 08/28/20.
VANBUREN COUNTY SR-30 Slope stabilization near LM 16.1: The contractor is working on SR-30 north from LM 15.9 to 16.3. The roadway will be reduced to one lane controlled by a traffic signal. Large trucks heading West on SR-30, down the mountain are encouraged to use extreme caution.
WHITE COUNTY Grading, drainage and paving at Airport Rd. leading up to Upper Cumberland Regional Airport: The contractor will be performing grading, milling, and drainage work along Technology Drive, Airport Road, and SR-136 during this period. Temporary traffic stoppages may be needed as construction progresses. Motorists are advised to use caution while traveling through the work zone and be alert of all traffic signage, personnel, and equipment.
