KNOX COUNTY, TN (Story courtesy of WVLT) – Drivers in Knox County may soon have an easier commute.
It’s no secret roads around the county can get busy fast, including on Maynardville Pike.
One driver said he avoids the road but is hopeful that soon he won’t have to.
“I take alternate routes to avoid this because there’s morning commute to work and then evening commute from work, which is a choke spot,” said Mike Donahue.
That’s why Knox County engineers are taking a look.
They’re working to install a new traffic system at 15 intersections across the county, including Maynardville Pike.
It’s called Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS).
County Traffic Engineer Alan Childers said with more people on the roads, they need to look at new ways to keep traffic moving.
“It will allow us to sit in the office and monitor traffic signals that are way out in the field,” Childers said. “If we get a phone call about a concern, we can respond to it a lot faster. Plus, we could change the timing and do things like that.”
Most of the intersections will just need to get a device that will sense the cars. While others will need more, like new lights and poles.
“When a car passes into these shaded areas, it’ll register that and tell the controller which makes all the decisions,” Childers said.
Donahue said new timing for traffic lights on Maynardville Pike are desperately needed.
“It’s always backed up from Fountain City all the way through to shopping centers on the other side here,” he said. “Up into Walmart and then all the way into Maynardville.”
He’s happy for the change, but he wishes they were made sooner.
“It’s been long overdue,” he said. “I’m glad they have recognized and I’m glad that they are at least developing, coming up with a plan that will work.”
Right now, Childers said they’re waiting on parts.
He said it could take a few months before installing everything. Then engineers will be trained to use the system.
Here’s a list of intersections that will receive the new system:
- N Watt Road at I-40 eastbound ramps
- ATMS system will be completely installed
- N Watt Road at I-40 westbound ramps
- ATMS system will be completely installed
- Maynardville Pike at Rifle Range Drive/Brown Gap Road
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at Foley Drive
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at Fountain Valley Drive
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at Neal Drive/Doris Circle
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at Crippen Road
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at Cunningham Road
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at Afton Drive/Andersonville Pike
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at Norris Freeway
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at Andersonville Pike
- Car sensor will be installed
- Maynardville Pike at East Emory Road
- Car sensor will be installed
- East Emory Road at Andersonville Pike
- ATMS system will be completely installed
- Norris Freeway at East Emory Road
- Car sensor will be installed
- Norris Freeway at Sam Walton Way
- ATMS system will be completely installed
