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 20-26 listed by county and an estimated completion date.
Interstate Construction:
I-40 Cookeville to Nashville
SMITH COUNTY: Nightly starting Monday, May 17, 7:30AM-4AM, There will be alternating lane closures on I-40 in both directions form MM 250-259 for striping.
WILSON COUNTY, Bridge widening on SR 171 over I-40: Nightly, 8PM-5AM, I-40 in both directions will have intermittent lane closures for asphalt paving at MM 225-226.
I-40 Cookeville to Knoxville
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 resurfacing from the SR-101 ramp (MM 321) to east of SR-1 (US-70) (MM 329): During this period, the contractor will have lane closures both eastbound and westbound on I-40 at Daddy’s Creek Bridges in Cumberland County (near mm 326). This work involves repairing the epoxy overlay on the bridges and will require one lane to be closed in each direction 24 hours a day. Work is expected to be complete by Friday May 28, 2021.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY I-40 repair of the bridges over SR-1 (US-70) at MM 328.5: Eastbound I-40 near MM 328 is reduced to one lane 24/7 to allow bridge repair over SR-1 (US-70) at Crab Orchard, TN. During this period, westbound I-40 may be reduced to one lane 24/7 to continue bridge repair. The contractor has installed a portable smart work zone system to assist motorists. However, delays can be expected. SR-1 (US-70) will be reduced to one lane with traffic signals near LM 24 at Crab Orchard, TN for bridge repair. Motorists should exercise caution and pay attention to the temporary traffic signals as they travel through the work zone. RESTRICTIONS: Loads over 16 feet wide on eastbound I-40 should seek an alternate route.
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 353: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews set portable barrier rails through this slope stabilization project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area.
LOUDON COUNTY, I-75 South Ramp from I-40 West near Mile Marker 368: Beginning 9 p.m. Friday night, May 21, 2021 through 8 p.m. Monday night, May 24, 2021, the I-75 Southbound ramp from I-40 West will be reduced to one lane around the clock as crews perform bridge deck repairs. (The ramp will be temporarily closed to traffic and detoured between 11 p.m. Friday, May 21st and 6 a.m. Saturday, May 22nd while crews set portable barrier rail to begin repair operations.) One lane will remain open during the other listed times. Wide loads will not be permitted across the bridge during repairs and should follow signed detour route using I-40 West to Exit 364 and take I-40 East back to I-75 South. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. Motorists should consider seeking alternate routes to avoid this closure.
Regional (Multi-county) Road Work
CLAY AND JACKSON COUNTY SR-135 and SR-151 microsurfacing in Clay County and on SR-151 in Jackson County: The contractor will continue work on resurfacing SR 135 and SR 151. As work proceeds, the contractor will close one lane of traffic at a time. Advanced warning signs and flaggers will be utilized to allow for the flow of traffic through the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and obey posted speed limit.
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, paving operations, and utility work on the new roadway alignment are ongoing. Traffic is still using the existing SR-56; however, 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. The contractor currently performing grade work inside Smithville City Limits between Dearman Street and East Bryant Street. A traffic shift in this area will remain to allow contractor to complete work. A diversion remains in place for Williams Road to allow contractor to construct new alignment. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone. Motorists should use caution in this area and watch for flaggers and construction equipment.
FENTRESS AND OVERTON COUNTY SR-85 Emergency slide repairs at various locations: The contractor continues work near LM 21.0 in Overton County on SR 85. During this work, the roadway will be completely closed, and a signed detour route will be in place to allow motorists to bypass the work zone. The estimated project completion date is 05/28/21.
State Road Construction
CLAY COUNTY Repair of the bridges on SR-53 over Dry Fork Creek (LM 1.3) and Mill Creek (LM 2.5):The contractor will continue work on Phase 2 and the southbound lane will remain open. The northbound lane will remain closed, and a temporary signal system will be used to facilitate the flow of traffic through the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and be prepared to stop while approaching the work zones located at LM 1.35 and 2.50. RESTRICTIONS: Loads wider than 11′ should seek alternate route.
CLAY COUNTY SR-52 resurfacing from SR-53 (LM 20.6) to west of Poor House Road (LM 23.6): The contractor is continuing work on resurfacing SR 52. As work proceeds, the contractor will shut down one lane in each direction of SR 52 and will utilize advanced warning signs and traffic control devices to direct traffic to the proper lane to travel through the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to obey the posted speed limit and be cautious while traveling through the work zone.
CLAY COUNTY SR-53 resurfacing from near the Obey River (LM 9.0) to the Kentucky State line (LM16.6): The contractor will resume work on resurfacing SR 53 from LM 9.0 to LM 16.6. As work proceeds, the contractor will shut down one lane of SR 53 and will utilize flaggers and advanced warning signs to control the flow of traffic through the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to obey the posted speed limit and be cautious while traveling through the work zone.
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 have been installed with erosion control and clearing activities in progress. Motorists should use caution while traveling through the work zone.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SR-1 (US-70) Miscellaneous safety improvements including resurfacing near Arthur Seagraves Road (LM 2.50) to near Woodridge Lane (LM 6.00): The contractor will be performing safety-related construction activities that may require lane closures on SR-1 (US-70) between Arthur Seagraves Road and Woodbridge Lane. Construction signs will be installed, and flaggers will be present to direct traffic when needed.
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. The existing speed limit within Fairfield Glade remains at 30 MPH. Temporary lane closures and/or traffic stoppages may be needed as paving, traffic signal work, and other construction activities continue. Motorists should
reduce speed on Peavine Road and be alert for construction personnel/equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
DEKALB COUNTY SR-96 (DALE RIDGE RD.) TDOT Maintenance eastbound from LM 11.0 to LM 11.2: SR-96 is reduced to one lane with temporary signals from LM 11.0 to 11.2. This will remain in effect until slope stabilization work completion.
FENTRESS COUNTY Rockfall mitigation on SR-85 at (LM 3.80): The contractor continues working on the rock fall mitigation located at LM 3.8. During this work, a signed detour route will remain in place to allow traffic to bypass the work area. The closure will remain in effect during the entire project; the estimated completion date is 05/30/21.
PUTNAM COUNTY Utility Work on SR-24 (MONTEREY HWY.) northbound from LM 33.53 to LM 36.37: Single lane closure between Bee Rock Road and West Bishop Avenue. Signage, flaggers, and barrels will be present. Motorists should use caution through the area and be aware of personnel and equipment between 8 AM and 4 PM beginning 04/08/21 through 05/26/21.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-135 (Burgess Falls Road) grading, drainage, signals and paving at the intersection of West Cemetery Road (LM 6.6): Brief stoppages in traffic should be expected during daytime hours as the contractor works near the roadway. Motorist are advised to use caution and be alert to all construction signage while traveling through the work zone.
PUTNAM COUNTY SR-24 (US-70N) slide repair near LM 30.1: The contractor has installed barrier rail and began excavation work. Traffic will be reduced to one lane and controlled by temporary traffic signals at each end of the project. Be prepared to stop when traveling through the work zone.
SMITH COUNTY, SR 25 Rockfall Mitigation: From now through September 2021, SR 25 north of the SR 80 intersection is reduced to one lane for a rockfall mitigation project.
VANBUREN COUNTY SR-111 resurfacing (microsurfacing) from the Sequatchie County line (LM 0.00) to north of Feedstore Drive (LM 12.51): The contractor has begun resurfacing operations on SR-111 from the Sequatchie County line to Log mile 12.51 in Van Buren. One lane will be closed while resurfacing operations are taking place. Please use caution when traveling through the area.
WHITE COUNTY SR-1 (E. BOCKMAN WAY) both directions from LM 13.2 to LM 14.7 for slope stabilization: Roadway is reduced to one lane from LM 13.2 to 14.7. The westbound lane is shifted from LM 14.4 to 14.7. This will remain in effect until slope stabilization work completion, which is anticipated to be 5/21/21. Sunset Rock will be closed for the duration.