Page 11 - TN Public Works Sept-Oct 2014 Vol.32 No.3
P. 11
riverbank along the University of Ten-
nessee Golf Course and Cherokee Farm
Innovation Campus, then ending at Knox
County’s Marine Park (adjacent to a U.S.
Marine Corps military base).
“True to Knoxville’s style, the Knox/
Blount Greenway’s attributes will be as
beautiful as they are functional. It will
arguably be the greenway in town with the
best views of the Tennessee River and will
eventually be one of our most crucial com-
muting connections,” said Joe Walsh, city of
Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director.
Users of the Knox/Blount Greenway will
also be able to see the Sequoyah Greenway
on the northern bank of the river. Essen-
tially, this means a nearly one-mile stretch
of the Tennessee River will have greenways
facing each other across the river — a first
for Knoxville.
Without question, Phase I has been
quite the journey to finally reach con-
struction. The city of Knoxville and Knox
County were awarded a joint TDOT
Transportation Enhancement Grant for
the first two phases of the Knox/Blount
Greenway in 2003.
Phase I of that grant includes 80%
($1,161,580) funding provided by the
State of Tennessee, with the city of
Knoxville providing a 20% local match
of $290,395. Knoxville obtained an ad-
ditional $500,000 Alternative Transpor-
tation Grant in 2013 in a similar 80/20
arrangement ($400,000 from the State of
Tennessee and $100,000 local match from
the city of Knoxville).
The first portion of Phase I was com-
pleted in June 2008 when the city con-
nected a small segment from the existing
Neyland Greenway up to the J.E. “Buck”
Karnes Bridge, which Alcoa Highway
travels across. At this same time, TDOT
opened a bicycle pedestrian bridge at-
tached to the east side of the “Buck”
Karnes Bridge that allowed for a pedes-
trian crossover of the Tennessee River.
Permitting Delays
Due to challenges faced in easement This regional plan is a bold vision that will connect four cities (Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville and Townsend)
across two counties (Knox and Blount).
acquisition and extensive permitting,
physical construction of the remainder of
Phase I did not continue until nearly six and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). permitting guidelines to follow for the
years later in spring 2014. The property Permitting proved to be an even greater, greenway’s construction.
acquisition for Knox/Blount Greenway more calendar-extending challenge. Be- Required permits included:
itself was a complicated undertaking. cause the Knox/Blount Greenway Phase I • TVA 26(a)
The city of Knoxville had to negotiate project was built in conjunction with the • TDEC Aquatic Resources Alteration
and acquire easements from TDOT, the University of Tennessee’s bank stabiliza- • Army Corps of Engineers 404
University of Tennessee, Knox County, the tion, golf facility and Cherokee Farm In order to satisfy the TVA 26(a) permit,
United States Department of the Navy, infrastructure projects, there were tighter Continued on page 12
TPW September/October 2014 11
nessee Golf Course and Cherokee Farm
Innovation Campus, then ending at Knox
County’s Marine Park (adjacent to a U.S.
Marine Corps military base).
“True to Knoxville’s style, the Knox/
Blount Greenway’s attributes will be as
beautiful as they are functional. It will
arguably be the greenway in town with the
best views of the Tennessee River and will
eventually be one of our most crucial com-
muting connections,” said Joe Walsh, city of
Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director.
Users of the Knox/Blount Greenway will
also be able to see the Sequoyah Greenway
on the northern bank of the river. Essen-
tially, this means a nearly one-mile stretch
of the Tennessee River will have greenways
facing each other across the river — a first
for Knoxville.
Without question, Phase I has been
quite the journey to finally reach con-
struction. The city of Knoxville and Knox
County were awarded a joint TDOT
Transportation Enhancement Grant for
the first two phases of the Knox/Blount
Greenway in 2003.
Phase I of that grant includes 80%
($1,161,580) funding provided by the
State of Tennessee, with the city of
Knoxville providing a 20% local match
of $290,395. Knoxville obtained an ad-
ditional $500,000 Alternative Transpor-
tation Grant in 2013 in a similar 80/20
arrangement ($400,000 from the State of
Tennessee and $100,000 local match from
the city of Knoxville).
The first portion of Phase I was com-
pleted in June 2008 when the city con-
nected a small segment from the existing
Neyland Greenway up to the J.E. “Buck”
Karnes Bridge, which Alcoa Highway
travels across. At this same time, TDOT
opened a bicycle pedestrian bridge at-
tached to the east side of the “Buck”
Karnes Bridge that allowed for a pedes-
trian crossover of the Tennessee River.
Permitting Delays
Due to challenges faced in easement This regional plan is a bold vision that will connect four cities (Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville and Townsend)
across two counties (Knox and Blount).
acquisition and extensive permitting,
physical construction of the remainder of
Phase I did not continue until nearly six and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). permitting guidelines to follow for the
years later in spring 2014. The property Permitting proved to be an even greater, greenway’s construction.
acquisition for Knox/Blount Greenway more calendar-extending challenge. Be- Required permits included:
itself was a complicated undertaking. cause the Knox/Blount Greenway Phase I • TVA 26(a)
The city of Knoxville had to negotiate project was built in conjunction with the • TDEC Aquatic Resources Alteration
and acquire easements from TDOT, the University of Tennessee’s bank stabiliza- • Army Corps of Engineers 404
University of Tennessee, Knox County, the tion, golf facility and Cherokee Farm In order to satisfy the TVA 26(a) permit,
United States Department of the Navy, infrastructure projects, there were tighter Continued on page 12
TPW September/October 2014 11
