KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — University of Tennessee football fans can expect more traffic congestion than usual this season, UT and city traffic officials said Wednesday.
Dr. Steve Richards, who chairs UT’s Football Traffic Committee, said the biggest concern is road construction along I-40 near the Alcoa Highway interchange.
“During the entire football season, including this first game, traffic will be down to two lanes in each direction at this interchange,” Richards said. “There will not be shoulders, so that certainly represents a significant bottle-neck.”
Richards encouraged motorists to use Middlebrook Pike after the game to avoid traffic problems in the downtown area. He said some past parking lots are not longer available.
“There will no longer be public parking available on the Agriculture campus,” Richards said. “However, there is excess public parking available at the Civic Coliseum, so we encourage patrons to use public parking at the Coliseum.”
Richards also said Tennessee Department of Transportation will have large message boards on I-40 encouraging non-football traffic to use Interstates 275 and 640 to bypass the congestion.
The Knoxville Police Department recommends that motorist driving arrive two to three hourse before the games to avoid traffic problems.
Kickoff for the UT season opener against Wyoming is 7 p.m.
Here is a map of parking lots available for game-day traffic.