SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The city of Sevierville will make safety improvements to a problematic intersection that has seen 50 crashes in the past five years.
The intersection of State Route 338 (Boyds Creek Highway) and Old Knoxville Highway will get a new traffic signal, turn lanes and geometric improvements to reduce crashes and improve traffic flow.
“What we’re doing is we’re realigning Old Knoxville Highway at the intersection so that it lines up square with Boyd’s Creek Highway. We’re going to install a signal at the intersection,” said Doug Tarwater, public works director.
The intersection handles approximately 8,800 cars daily according to TDOT traffic counts and has been designated a high crash zone.
Tarwater said the improvements will include left turn lanes to move cars out of the main traffic flow.
“You know, the intent here is to reduce those crashes. That’s one of our primary goals here with our infrastructure in Sevierville is to look at our target spots and identify those safety concerns,” Tarwater said.
Traffic studies and crash data have confirmed the need for improvements due to significant turning movements and peak-hour congestion that contribute to safety risks and delays.
The estimated construction cost is approximately $2 million, funded through a combination of state and federal transportation sources.
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Chuck McCarter, managing partner for Oak Haven Resort and Spa nearby, has worked near the intersection for years and said he sees backups and crashes regularly.
“My children travel that intersection and I’m really looking forward to the improvements,” McCarter said.
He added crashes happen frequently, especially during rain.
“About 1/4 of a mile from that intersection in front of our office here. Anytime it rains, there’s accidents at that intersection,” McCarter said.
He also said the high traffic volume makes left turns dangerous.
“You know, they’re having to make a left turn across traffic, which there’s a lot of volume coming, coming down east and west on Boyd’s Creek,” he said.
Preliminary design is complete, and the project is entering the right-of-way acquisition phase. Approximately 16 parcels are involved in the acquisition process.
The city will soon begin contacting affected property owners to initiate discussions.
Construction is anticipated to follow completion of the right-of-way acquisition and final design approvals.
The city will host a public information meeting Monday, Feb. 23, at 5 p.m. at the Sevierville Civic Center. The open-house format meeting will run until 6 p.m.
Attendees may arrive anytime during the meeting to review project exhibits and proposed design plans, learn about the right-of-way acquisition process, speak directly with city staff and project engineers and ask questions and provide input.
City representatives will remain on-site until all questions have been addressed. No formal presentation is scheduled.
