By Michelle Price
Special to the UCBJ
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 May 12-18 listed by county and an estimated completion date.
Interstate Construction:
I-40 Cookeville to Nashville
PUTNAM COUNTY I-40 TDOT Bridge Inspection both directions at MM 267.9: Bridge inspection will be performing its 2-year inspection on the bridge over Indian Creek I-40 at LM 267.9 on Thursday, 4/19/22 from 8 am until 12 pm.
SMITH COUNTY, I-40 Emergency In-place paving MM 250 – 254: Daily, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., I-40 east and westbound lanes at SR 141 will have intermittent lane closures for spot paving.
Emergency Bridge Repair on I-40 over US70/Sparta Pike, 5/15 – 5/18, 8 p.m. – 5 a.m.: I-40 EB, at exit 239 will have temporary lane closures for removal and installation of portable barrier rail and temporary tape.
WILSON COUNTY Bridge widening on SR-171 over I-40, MM 222.6 – 227, Nightly, 8 p.m. – 5 a.m.: I-40 EB and WB at SR 171 will have intermittent lane closures resurfacing activities.
DAVIDSON COUNTY I-40 RETRACING OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS MM 207 – 213: Nightly, 8 p.m. – 6 a.m., (Excl. Weekends), There will be lane closures for mobile long line striping operations in both the WB and EB directions on I-40 in Davidson County.
The resurfacing on I-40 from Old Hickory Blvd. to Arlington Ave., Nightly, 8 p.m. – 5 a.m.: There will be multiple, alternating lane closures and multiple, alternating ramp closures on I-40 between Old Hickory Blvd. and Arlington Ave. for bridge epoxy operations.
I-40 Cookeville to Knoxville
PUTNAM COUNTY I-40 TDOT Bridge Inspection eastbound at MM 291.3: Bridge inspection will be performing its 2-year inspection on the east bound bridge over the Falling Water River and Poplar Grove Rd. on I-40 at LM 291.3 on Wednesday, 4/18/22 from 8 am until 12 pm.
PUTNAM COUNTY I-40 TDOT Bridge Inspection westbound at MM 291.3: Bridge inspection will be performing its 2-year inspection on the west bound bridge over Falling Water River and Poplar Grove Rd. on I-40 at LM 291.39 on Wednesday, 4/18/22 from 12 pm until 3 pm.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 resurfacing from near Plateau Road (MM 311) to near the Obed River (MM 318): The contractor is to begin nightly lane closures on I-40 East beginning at MM311.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 Permitted Work eastbound from MM 319.5 to MM 319.7: The Buc-ee’s contractor continues work along the I-40 East off-ramp. The contractor to begin removal of concrete barrier rails and restripe the ramp. Motorists should reduce speed and use caution when using the Exit 320 East off-ramp.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 Permitted Work westbound from MM 319.7 to MM 319.5: : The Buc-ee’s contractor continues working along the I-40 West on-ramp behind concrete barrier rails. The ramp width is decreased. Motorists should reduce speed and use caution when using I-40 Exit 320 West on-ramp.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 resurfacing from MM 333.5 to the Roane County line (MM 340.4) including SR-299 interchanges: Nightly lane closures will continue Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 pm – 6:00 am east and westbound while milling and paving operations are ongoing.
ROANE COUNTY, I-40 West between Mile Markers 340 and 344: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures at various times through this slope stabilization project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this area.
ROANE COUNTY, I-40 East near Mile Marker 352.9: On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform guardrail repairs. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area.
ROANE COUNTY, I-40 West near Mile Marker 360.5: On Thursday, May 12, 2022, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform guardrail repairs. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area.
LOUDON COUNTY, I-40 West near Mile Markers 367.8 and 366.8: On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform guardrail repairs. Motorists should be alert for workerspresent, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area.
Regional (Multi-county) Road Work
CANNON AND WARREN COUNTY SR-1 (US-70S) bridge repair and paving from east of Lincoln Lane (LM 11) in Cannon County to Robinson Road (LM 9.4) in Warren County: The contractor will be doing sweeping periodically through the work zone. Daily lane closures and flagging operations are being utilized. Motorists should use caution in the work zone and watch for flaggers.
CUMBERLAND AND FENTRESS COUNTY SR-28 (US-127) widening from near N. Lowe Rd (LM 29.2) to north of SR-62 (LM 1.9): The contractor will be continuing work on the bridge repair located on SR-28 at LM 30.50 in Cumberland County. The contractor also will be continuing work clearing along the new alignment. Motorists are encouraged to use caution through the work zone and watch for construction equipment adjacent to roadway.
DEKALB AND WARREN COUNTY SR-56 Construction of bridges and paving from south of Warren-Dekalb County line to East Bryant St: There is a new traffic pattern between LM 24.4 in Warren County through LM 1.0 in Dekalb County. There is a detour in place for Sink Creek Road. Motorists should follow posted signs in the area. The contractor will continue installing concrete box culverts and drainage structures. Grade work, bridge work, paving operations, and utility work on the new roadway alignment are ongoing. The contractor will utilize flagging operations throughout the project for grading operations. Traffic is shifted onto the detour between SR-288 and Old Blue Springs Road for the contractor to complete grade work in the area. Traffic shifts in Smithville will remain from South College Street to the end of project to allow contractor to complete work. Motorists should use caution through the area while flaggers are present to direct traffic. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone. Motorists should use caution in this area.
OVERTON AND PUTNAM COUNTY SR-84 resurfacing (microsurfacing) from the Putnam County line (LM 0) to SR-85 (LM 14.8), including bridge expansion joint repair, and the resurfacing (microsurfacing) on SR-84 from near Poplar Street (LM 9.8) to the Overton County line (LM 13.4): The contractor is scheduled to be on site 05/10/22 installing construction signs. Once construction signs are installed, the contractor will begin resurfacing operations on SR 84. During this work, the contractor will close down one lane of traffic and will have flaggers and temporary traffic control devices to control the flow of traffic through the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and be prepared to stop as they approach the work zone.
State Road Construction
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SR-28 (US-127) bridge construction and paving from north of I-40 (LM 17.8) to near Potato Farm Road (LM 22.7): Construction signs and erosion control measures have been installed. The contractor continues grading activities which will include embankment fill, storm drain installation, and placement of graded solid rock. Temporary lane closures and/or periodic traffic stoppages will be necessary for construction activities. Utility relocations for gas, water, sewer, and electric are in progress. Motorists should use caution while traveling through the work zone and be aware of reduced speed zones.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SR-462 from SR-28 (US-127N / LM 3.1) to SR-298 (Genesis Road/LM 4.6) in Crossville: Interstate Drive is closed from Stout Drive to Genesis Road. The detour is posted with temporary traffic signals at the intersection of Woodlawn Road and Genesis Road. Construction activities are in progress. Construction activities are also in progress for the adjoining Buc-ee’s project. Activities will require temporary lane closures and/or traffic stoppages on Interstate Drive and Genesis Road as well as short term closures of City streets. The right lane of south bound Genesis Road is closed from Interstate Drive to north of Woodlawn Road. Crews will be working along Genesis Road.
DEKALB COUNTY SR-26 (US-70) grading, drainage, and construction of retaining walls and paving from near SR-53 (LM 2) to near SR-96 (LM 6.1): The contractor continues roadside grading operations, installing erosion control measures, and water, gas, and electric line relocation. This will result in intermittent lane closures. Blasting operations may also result in brief road closures. Motorists are advised to use caution and be alert to all construction signage while traveling through the work zone.
FENTRESS COUNTY SR-85 slide repair project: SR85 in Fentress County at the 6.4 MM is reduced to one lane and is controlled by traffic lights. The contractor began work on the project on 04/18/22.
OVERTON COUNTY SR-85 (HILHAM HWY.) Utility Work both directions from LM 4.52 to LM 3.2: Mobile lane closures along SR-85 between Old Standing Stone Road and Jerry Bilbrey Lane. Motorists should use caution and be aware of personnel and equipment when traveling through the work zone. Signage, cones, and flaggers will be present, 02/17/22 through 06/10/22 from 9 AM and 2 PM.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-136 construction from north of the SR-111 interchange to south of the I-40 interchange: The contractor continues grading activities throughout the project. Temporary lane closures and/or periodic traffic stoppages will be necessary for construction activities including installation of barrier rail. Utility relocations for gas are in progress. Motorists shall use caution while traveling through the work zone and be aware of construction personnel.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-135 (BURGESS FALLS RD.) Utility Work both directions from LM 3.56 to LM 5.57: Shoulder and single lane closures from Cane Creek Road to the intersection of Cookeville Boatdock Road and Burgess Falls Road. Motorists should reduce speed and be prepared to stop. Trucks, signage, cones, and flaggers will be present, 02/17/22 through 06/10/22 from 9 am – 2 pm.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-164 (S. Chestnut St) at LM 0.3 and SR-84 (S. Holly St) at LM 9.7 railroad crossing improvements: The contractor will be on site continuing work installing signal footers and preparing to run underground conduit and wire as needed. Intermittent lane closures are possible during this work. Motorists are encouraged to use caution through the work zone and watch for construction equipment and personnel adjacent to the roadway.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-24 (US-70N) construction at the intersection of SR-56 (LM 11.6) in Baxter: The contractor will be on site beginning Phase 1 construction. During this work, the turning lane from SR 56 onto SR-24 (US-70N) will be closed. Motorists will be allowed to make the right turn from the four-way intersection. The turning lane from SR-56 to 1st Avenue will also be closed; motorists will be allowed to make the right turn from SR 56 southbound. Motorists are encouraged to use caution through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and personnel adjacent to the roadway.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-24 (US-70N) slide repair near LM 30.1: The contractor will be installing permanent pavement markings. One lane in each direction is now open to traffic and temporary traffic signals have been removed. Daily temporary lane closures will still be present as the contractor continues work. Be aware of the new traffic pattern and use caution when traveling through the work zone.
VANBUREN COUNTY SR-30 (STATE HWY. 30) TDOT Contractor both directions at LM 15.7: SR-30 is reduced to one lane at mile 15.5 to 15.6 between Spencer and Pikeville because of slide repair work. Traffic Signals are in place.
