TDOT to Hold Public Hearing on James White Parkway Extension

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will host a public hearing on December 6 for the proposed James White Parkway extension. The forum is an opportunity for community input prior to the selection of a project alternative and the completion of an environmental document.

Meeting time and location:

Thursday, December 6, 2012

5:00-7:00 p.m.

South Doyle Middle School

3900 Decatur Road

Knoxville, TN 37920

At the hearing, TDOT will discuss findings of the approved Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and the preliminary Section 4(f) de minimis impact determination for potential impacts to the extreme northern boundary of the William Hastie Natural Area.

A brief presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. Representatives from TDOT will field questions about the project and its social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Four project alternatives are under consideration. One no-build and three build alternatives were evaluated in the DEIS.

If the no-build alternative is chosen, James White Parkway will not be extended and associated major improvements to other roadways, including Chapman Highway, will not be undertaken. TDOT expects that the no-build alternative would result in continued worsening of traffic congestion on Chapman Highway.

Each of the three proposed build alternatives would extend James White Parkway from Moody Avenue/Sevierville Pike southward to Chapman Highway near Governor John Sevier Highway. The project would include construction of a new four-lane, fully access-controlled facility primarily on new alignment. In addition to interchanges at Moody Avenue and Chapman Highway, a new interchange is proposed at Sevierville Pike near the center of the project area to provide local access to the new highway. Improvements would also be made to the existing Chapman Highway/Governor John Sevier Highway interchange under each build alternative.

According to the DEIS, the extension of James White Parkway would improve transportation efficiency and safety in south Knoxville by relieving traffic on Chapman Highway. The project is expected to reduce congestion by providing an alternative route for through traffic and daily commuters traveling to and from Downtown Knoxville.

Construction costs for the project are estimated at $100 million.

The public is encouraged to attend the hearing, ask questions, and make comments about their preferred alternative. Community concerns regarding impacts of the project, right-of-way acquisition (should one of the build alternatives be chosen), and any other issues will be addressed. TDOT will also discuss "next steps" in the project evaluation process.

The public has until January 4, 2013 to provide written comments.

Posted 11-28-2012, written by Sarah Powell