Blount Avenue Reconstruction
Southern Constructors, Inc. continues to work on the installation of utilities and sidewalks for the new Blount Avenue streetscape between the Norfolk South Railroad Underpass and Hawthorne Avenue. Construction sequencing will require lane shifts and periodic changes in the detour system and signs, particularly when the new water and wastewater lines are installed. This project is quickly moving towards its August completion date.
CITYVIEW RIVERWALK EXTENSION
The City’s South Waterfront Department was recently informed that the request to redirect State Transportation Enhancement grant funds from the Knoxville Shoals Riverwalk to the Cityview Riverwalk Extension will be allowed by the TN Department of Transportation (TDOT). On August 25, 2009, a $534,461 grant was awarded by TDOT for the project, which due to budget constraints has been reduced to $506,902.60 as of January 11, 2010. Total funding available for the project will be $608,283.12 ($506,902.60 TDOT grant + $101,380.52 Local match). The funding is being redirected due to the uncertain future of the former Baptist Hospital property, and was approved by City Council on June 1, 2010. Approval of the contract for the project was approved by City Council on June 15, 2010. The Cityview Riverwalk Extension will be connected to the existing section of Riverwalk already under construction, will help to support an existing private redevelopment project being readied for occupancy in summer 2010, and will extend in a direction that supports future connectivity to the South Waterfront – University of Tennessee Pedestrian / Bicycle Bridge about to start the design and environmental permitting phase. The ability to redirect the funding fairly quickly will keep the funding in our community rather than having the grant rescinded, which is good news.
SW-UT PEDESTRIAN / BICYCLE BRIDGE
The City of Knoxville has named Lawrie & Associates of Alexandria, Virginia as the most qualified lead engineering firm to enter into contract negotiations to design a pedestrian/bicycle bridge that will span the Tennessee River from the South Waterfront to the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena. The project scope of work and contract is slated to be finished by July of this year, with the request for City Council approval of the consultant contract expected in August or September 2010. Bridge design and environmental permitting will be complex, and will take 2-3 years for completion.
