KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Driving on Cecil Avenue can get pretty bumpy, even if you're going 18 mph. So, some neighbors are sharing an online petition that asks Knoxville leaders to repair and repave the roads, both Cecil Avenue and North Broadway.
It said it's not only damaging cars, but it's also a matter of public health.
"It's like a four-wheeling road," said Krista Renning who lives on Cecil Avenue. "Like, there are so many bumps and little patches that are paved and patches that aren't, and then they put big metal covers over everything. So, it's really loud and dusty."
Renning lives there with her husband. They've been together for more than three decades. While Renning said they knew they were moving into a busy road, they didn't mind the traffic.
"We love North Knoxville," Renning said. "We love being downtown by all the brewery and it's just got a great vibe. The neighborhood is amazing."
The petition said this neighborhood deserves smooth and safe roads. The petition said neglecting the roads can damage drivers' cars, allowing potholes to develop and patches to become rough. It requests local leaders to "immediately" repair them both.
"I don't think it's good for the cars to be going over all of these different bumps and different kinds of asphalt textures," Renning said. "What I heard was the road was gonna be paved so maybe eventually it will be."
The Knoxville Utilities Board sent 10News a statement about the roads. It is available below.
"As part of KUB’s Century II Infrastructure Management Program to provide reliable utility services for the community, KUB recently completed a wastewater system upgrade project along a portion of Cecil Avenue. Water system upgrades are also needed for a portion of Cecil Avenue, and this work is expected to begin in early 2025. KUB has made temporary roadway repairs, and final resurfacing work will be coordinated with the City of Knoxville once the water system upgrade is completed."
In an email, a Knoxville spokesman also said the city would mill the street and plans to completely repave the road starting next March. The city's statement is available below.
"Once the backfill settles from KUB's project, the City will then mill the street and do a complete repaving. That's tentatively scheduled for the round of pavings that begins next March. It isn't happening this year because the ground has to finish settling before asphalt can be laid. But Cecil is on the City's list for a quality paving next spring - which is as soon as conditions allow."
Mark Nagi, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Transportation also said the department plans for crews to replace the curb ramp along North Broadway in August. After that, the department plans to start resurfacing. Work is set to take place nightly and should be done by the end of October, Nagi said.
This means a lot more digging and dust.
"We have a power washer, luckily, but if you paid someone to have to power wash your house, it's around $300 to do that," Renning said. "I think that we're all so proud to live on the street and we want the best for this street."