Tennessee – Motorists traveling on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) should be aware of a full northbound lane closure beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, between John Sevier Highway (State Route 168) and the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
The closure is required for contractors to blast, scale, and remove rock outcroppings along the adjacent slope to reduce the risk of future rockfall and improve safety for both drivers and workers.
Motorists traveling from Blount County or McGhee-Tyson Airport are advised to detour via I-140 (Pellissippi Parkway) to bypass the work zone. Local traffic may use State Route 168 (John Sevier Highway) to US 441 (Chapman Highway), while the Maloney Road Interchange will remain open for local access only.
Southbound traffic is expected to be largely unaffected, although rolling roadblocks will be used intermittently during the blasting to escort emergency services to the UT Medical Center.
Work is anticipated to be complete by 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, weather permitting. If conditions are unfavorable, the project will be rescheduled for the weekend of October 18. Motorists are advised to expect delays and exercise caution while traveling through the area.