KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Jim Snowden, the Knox County Senior Director of Public Works, said the project to improve and expand Schadd Road has been in the works for 20 years.
The current phase runs from the Glenlake Subdivision to Middlebrook Pike and was originally set to be completed in December 2023. After contractor Charles Blalock and Sons faced some challenges, the county commissioners granted an extension to Sept. 30, 2024. Now, the contractor has gone over that deadline and Snowden said it will owe around $2,000 for each day work continues.
As of Tuesday, the road is partially open with one lane in each direction on what will be the eastbound lanes. Snowden said changes are happening quickly and people need to stay aware.
"Anytime we make a significant change, we'll put up message boards and signs. But just be cautious in that area because anytime you change a traffic control pattern it can be a situation where folks make some mistakes," he said.
On social media, residents are asking for more safety precautions after multiple crashes on the road. It's something Snowden said they're already working on.
"We are looking at installing a traffic light or a traffic signal at Andys Road. We recently installed a four-way stop but as traffic grows and people become more accustomed to it, we do think traffic volumes will increase which then will justify that signal. We'll try to have that signal up before Christmas," Snowden said.
Snowden said the contractors estimate this phase will be complete in February. Then, they'll open a bid for the next phase to work from Oak Ridge Highway to Pleasant Ridge Road.
That stretch holds several neighborhoods and Clay Councill's business. He said talks of starting construction have been happening for years.
"There's some progress, mostly paperwork progress that's going on. But, nothing in terms of construction yet," Councill said.
He said he anticipates work will start sooner rather than later. Snowden said the estimated timeline involves a contractor chosen by Winter and work starting in the spring. Snowden said from there it'll take 18 to 24 months to complete, meaning the entire corridor is expected to be finished in three years.