KNOXVILLE – A Knoxville Utility Board sewer line replacement project that begins Monday will close two lanes of traffic on Neyland Drive from Lake Loudon Boulevard to Leinard Lane for four months.
The work is just one of several construction and renovation projects on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus that will make it more difficult for motorists to travel through the area in the coming months.
The sewer line replacement project involves shutting down both eastbound lanes of Neyland Drive between Leinard Lane and Lake Loudon Boulevard as KUB workers extend a sewer line across the Tennessee River. The two westbound lanes of Neyland Drive will be converted into one lane each way for the duration of the work.
Access to UT facilities on Leinard Lane and Stephenson Drive and campus entrances at Joe Johnson Drive and Lake Loudon Boulevard will remain open as the work is under way.
The work is expected to be completed by August. Visitors to campus for spring 2009 commencement ceremonies will need to plan accordingly.
Between now and August, KUB also plans to renovate or replace many sections of water and sewer pipe below campus streets, creating temporary detours and adding to travel time around campus.
Here’s an update on other projects and when they’ll affect campus:
– April to August 2009 — Improvements will be made to Thompson-Boling Arena, including the addition of a pedestrian walkway from the G10 parking garage to the east end ramp of the arena. Staff lot 5 will be closed during this time.
– May to mid-August 2009 — Campus beautification projects along Lake Loudon Boulevard will include the construction of a new campus entrance way. This work will temporarily close staff lot 23 at the intersection of Lake Loudon and Neyland Drive.
– June to August 2009 — The Neyland Stadium Jumbotron will be refurbished, causing periodic closures of Tee Martin Drive and affecting most of staff lot 5 under the Gate 10 ramp. Pedestrians will be able to access the G10 garage and South Stadium via designated pedestrian passage ways.
– Mid-June 2009 — I-40 through downtown is scheduled to reopen.
– July 2009 to March 2011 — Staff lot 23 near the “Rock” will be closed permanently to accommodate the new student health center, which is being built on the site.
– August 2009 — Phillip Fulmer Way is scheduled to reopen following completion of the Neyland Stadium West Skybox Complex renovation.
For more information on the status of campus construction projects, visit http://www.utk.edu/status/.
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Contact:
Brian Browning, UT Finance and Administration (865-974-3061, brian-browning@utk.edu)