Page 10 - TN Public Works Sept-Oct 2014 Vol.32 No.3
P. 10
By Kathleen Gibi
Knox/Blount Greenway Phase 1
Kicks Off Currently under construction,
Phase I of the Knox/Blount
Greenway is 9,500 linear feet of
Knoxvillians are celebrating the con- 10-ft wide asphalt greenway.
struction of the much anticipated Knox/
Blount Greenway, which is the first
phase of a long-term planned greenway
that will eventually connect downtown
Knoxville to the trails in the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. This
regional plan is a bold vision that will
connect four cities (Knoxville, Alcoa,
Maryville and Townsend) across two
counties (Knox and Blount).
“This precedent-setting greenway proj-
ect is one of the most significant in the
state. It’s literally a blueprint for the future
– a great example of how many stakehold-
ers and partners can pool their ideas, their
talents and their wills to create something
wonderful. And I’m proud that Knoxville Phase I Firsts enway is located within Knoxville’s city
is kicking off Phase I,” said Knoxville Impressive as the entire project will be, limits and adds almost two miles to an
Mayor Madeline Rogero. Phase I of the Knox/Blount Greenway already existing 16-mile connection of
The Knoxville Regional Transporta- project boasts its own distinctions. These urban greenways that run east to west
tion Planning Organization (East Ten- include geographical greenway firsts for through the heart of Knoxville.
nessee’s local MPO) was instrumental Knoxville: construction challenges around Connecting to the Neyland Greenway
in putting the Knox/Blount Greenway archeological sites; easement acquisitions (which passes Knoxville’s city offices,
vision on the map, as federal and state between local, state and federal levels; Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling
funding for transportation projects for discovery and preservation of a champion Arena), the Knox/Blount Greenway travels
the region are approved and facilitated tree; and intense permitting processes. the J.E. “Buck” Karnes Bridge over the
through this agency. This phase of the Knox/Blount Gre- Tennessee River before following the
Phase 1 runs from the south end of the J.E. “Buck”
Karnes Bridge to Knox County’s Marine Park. Total
project cost is estimated at $1.6 million.
10 TPW September/October 2014
Knox/Blount Greenway Phase 1
Kicks Off Currently under construction,
Phase I of the Knox/Blount
Greenway is 9,500 linear feet of
Knoxvillians are celebrating the con- 10-ft wide asphalt greenway.
struction of the much anticipated Knox/
Blount Greenway, which is the first
phase of a long-term planned greenway
that will eventually connect downtown
Knoxville to the trails in the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. This
regional plan is a bold vision that will
connect four cities (Knoxville, Alcoa,
Maryville and Townsend) across two
counties (Knox and Blount).
“This precedent-setting greenway proj-
ect is one of the most significant in the
state. It’s literally a blueprint for the future
– a great example of how many stakehold-
ers and partners can pool their ideas, their
talents and their wills to create something
wonderful. And I’m proud that Knoxville Phase I Firsts enway is located within Knoxville’s city
is kicking off Phase I,” said Knoxville Impressive as the entire project will be, limits and adds almost two miles to an
Mayor Madeline Rogero. Phase I of the Knox/Blount Greenway already existing 16-mile connection of
The Knoxville Regional Transporta- project boasts its own distinctions. These urban greenways that run east to west
tion Planning Organization (East Ten- include geographical greenway firsts for through the heart of Knoxville.
nessee’s local MPO) was instrumental Knoxville: construction challenges around Connecting to the Neyland Greenway
in putting the Knox/Blount Greenway archeological sites; easement acquisitions (which passes Knoxville’s city offices,
vision on the map, as federal and state between local, state and federal levels; Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling
funding for transportation projects for discovery and preservation of a champion Arena), the Knox/Blount Greenway travels
the region are approved and facilitated tree; and intense permitting processes. the J.E. “Buck” Karnes Bridge over the
through this agency. This phase of the Knox/Blount Gre- Tennessee River before following the
Phase 1 runs from the south end of the J.E. “Buck”
Karnes Bridge to Knox County’s Marine Park. Total
project cost is estimated at $1.6 million.
10 TPW September/October 2014
