Starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 2 -- the intersection of North Central Street and North Broadway in Knoxville will be closed for 12 days as part of a $5.8 million improvement project.
The intersection is scheduled to be closed until 6 p.m. Friday, April 13 to install storm drainage through the Central-Broadway intersection. The city said the larger reinforced concrete pipes will increase the system's storm water capacity.
"The waterline that was there, that KUB replaced just last summer, was from the ripe young age of 1893," Office of Redevelopment Deputy Director Anne Wallace said. "That gives you an idea-- just that area that has been developed, and there were a lot of utilities underground."
Traffic will be detoured around the intersection via East 5th Avenue and Jennings Avenue. Below is a map of the detours:
The North Central Street streetscapes project began back in January. The city said the goal of the project is to preserve the area's history while paving the way for more development, improving walkability, and increasing green space.
Crews have been replacing storm drains, constructing new sidewalks, planting trees and making additional improvements across the board. You can learn more about the project at northcentralstreet.com.