Skip to main content

Interstate 40 Knoxville, TN SmartFIX40 Construction Photos & Video

The SmartFIX40 project in Knoxville is underway and is noteworthy because the project closes Interstate 40 through downtown Knoxville for approximately 14 months. The I-40 shutdown began not that long ago on May 1st and last through June 2009. TDOT is rebuilding from the ground up I-40 from James White Parkway (Exit 388) to Hall of Fame Drive (Exit 389).

TDOT says that the 14 month total closure will save two to three years in construction time vs. traditional piecemeal methods.

During the closure, this segment of I-40 will be widened to six through lanes and four auxiliary lanes. In addition to interstate improvements, work will include the construction of nine bridges, 14 retaining walls and three noise walls. Additionally, two existing bridges will be demolished, 12 side roads will be completed and seven new ramps will be constructed.
Through traffic on I-40 heading in both the eastbound and westbound direction will be detoured onto I-640 (the northern bypass arc of Knoxville.) Local traffic into downtown will still be able to use the stretch of I-40 through the construction zone.

Joe Babyak was out in Knoxville this weekend and took some photos and video of the SmartFix40 construction zone.

All photos are taken from the Magnolia Ave. area.







Video:

Comments

Billy said…
That's good footage! It looks like pretty much anywhere along Magnolia Avenue would be good for viewing the road work during the meet.

For those of you not in the know, I am planning a road meet in Knoxville centered around SmartFix40. It will likely take place some time around October since the work will have progressed much more by then. Also, for those who want to spend more time in the Greater Knoxville area, folks may choose to view the changing leaves in the mountains. I'll come up with a firm date a couple of months in advance, so if you're interested in viewing this massive project, we;d love to see you!
Anonymous said…
looks like they are movong fast on this it will be nice after it is done.... nice job.. the youtube clip was awesome

Popular posts from this blog

Crescent City Connection (New Orleans, LA)

The Crescent City Connection is a massive dual-span steel truss bridge that spans the lower Mississippi River at downtown New Orleans, about 95 river miles upstream from the mouth of the great river at the Head of Passes Light. If counted as a single bi-directional highway bridge, the parallel spans combine to form the single busiest bridge on the Mississippi River and its importance as a linchpin in the region’s transportation network cannot be overstated. While there have been various schemes over the years to construct bridges downriver from Algiers Point, this bridge has been the southernmost bridge on the Mississippi River since its initial construction in the 1950s. The years immediately following the end of World War II were a transformational period in the history of New Orleans. Already one of the great economic and cultural centers of the American Deep South, it was recognized at this time that major changes and improvements to the city’s transportation infrastructure would b...

Old US Route 99 through Tipton, Tulare, and Tagus Ranch

This summer I had a look into the alignment history of US Route 99 through the Tulare County communities of Tipton, Tulare, and Tagus Ranch.  While this slab below might seem like much it is one of the few remaining reminders of how US Route 99 was during the 1920s in Tulare County. This blog is part of the larger Gribblenation US Route 99 Page.  For more information pertaining to the other various segments of US Route 99 and it's three-digit child routes check out the link the below. Gribblenation US Route 99 Page Part 1; the history of US Route 99 in Tipton, Tulare, and Tagus Ranch Tipton and Tulare were both founded in 1872 as sidings of the Southern Pacific Railroad.  The Southern Pacific Railroad laid the groundwork for development of southern San Joaquin Valley.  Previous to the Southern Pacific Railroad travel via wagon or foot in Central California tended to avoid San Joaquin Valley in favor of the Stockton-Los Angeles Road.  The Stockton Los Ange...

Former US Route 101 and California State Route 41 through Paso Robles

Paso Robles is a city located on the Salinas River of San Luis Obispo County, California.  As originally configured the surface alignments of US Route 101 and California State Route 41 converged in downtown Paso Robles.  US Route 101 originally was aligned through Paso Robles via Spring Street.  California State Route 41 entered the City of Paso Robles via Union Road and 13th Street where it intersected US Route 101 at Spring Street.  US Route 101 and California State Route 41 departed Paso Robles southbound via a multiplex which split near Templeton.   Pictured above is the cover of the September/October 1957 California Highways & Public Works which features construction of the Paso Robles Bypass.  Pictured below is the 1935 Division of Highways Map of San Luis Obispo County which depicts US Route 101 and California State Route 41 intersecting in downtown Paso Robles.   Part 1; the history of US Route 101 and California State Route 41 i...