For more than a year, construction crews have been working on Interstate 75 in Campbell County.
According to TDOT, the project for a truck climbing lane began in the spring of 2016, and spans between mile markers 135 and 140.1. The project is nearly 4.7 miles long, and is 57 percent done with an estimated finish date of May 2018.
But for folks who drive that route on a daily basis, the traffic is getting old.
“It builds up enough that from a zoomed out view on Google Maps we show up as a traffic problem,” said Avery Sexton. He works in Knox County and drives that route almost daily.
“It takes me about an hour and 15 minutes on average to get to my office,” Sexton said. “Now I’m planning on at least an hour and a half, minimum.”
Sexton said people are not only frustrated but worried about safety.
“People are saying you know, they’re running late to doctor’s appointments, cancer treatments,” Sexton said. “We have people that are pregnant in this community … and they’re really worried they are going to be stuck on the side of the interstate.”
Sexton and his friend Laurel Ward started a Facebook group for the people of Scott County to post about accidents and traffic issues. On Tuesday, a TDOT spokesperson tweeted about a trailer-tractor crash in the construction zone.
Residents of Scott and Campbell counties have dealt with two rock slides that have blocked the highway in past years, so they know the alternative routes. Right now, Sexton and Ward take Highway 27 or Old Highway 63.
TDOT said it understands construction can be frustrating and it appreciates people’s patience.