KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Knox County leaders agreed to spend millions on a project to give commuters more room to access a corridor leading to the interstate and outside the county, as crews continue building one of the county's largest subdivision projects.
The Knox County Commission approved a proposal Monday to approve a $2.45 million contract with Duracap Asphalt Paving Co. to widen West Emory Road near the intersection with Clinton Highway. According to the contract, crews would be responsible for grading, drainage, base, pavement, pavement markings, signs and signals for the road.
The road widening project is located near the Belltown development project, which envisions more than 1,000 new homes built in northern Knox County along with a new commercial hub and public parks. In May 2023, leaders approved a section of the project that spanned around 52.6 acres and included plans for 169 lots.
Preliminary plans for Belltown envisioned more than 300 acres in total, with homes located between Karns and Powell before spilling over into Anderson County. Effectively, the road widening project approved Monday could give motorists near the Belltown community more space and help the road better manage increased traffic.
