KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced a delay for part of the Alcoa Highway Corridor Project, citing the need for additional safety reinforcements.
TDOT says construction on the segment between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail is now expected to be completed in spring 2030, several years later than initially planned.
Engineers made the determination after blasting and excavation work near the Woodson Drive interchange revealed the need for enhanced wall reinforcement to ensure long-term stability.
“This section of the corridor is particularly complex, located between a steep rock cut and the Tennessee River,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid. “To ensure long-term safety and stability, the project design needed to be updated.”
The Woodson Drive to Cherokee Trail section has been under construction since July 2023 and will ultimately widen about 1.6 miles of roadway from four lanes to six. It also includes reconstruction of the Cherokee Trail and UT Medical Center interchange to improve traffic flow and safety.
Despite the delay, TDOT says other parts of the project will remain on track. Work between Cherokee Trail and the UT Medical Center is still expected to be completed in fall 2027.
Officials say they’ve adjusted construction phasing to minimize disruptions and keep traffic moving, with at least two lanes open in both directions throughout the project.
Drivers should continue to expect traffic delays, including periodic rolling roadblocks, as work progresses along the corridor.
