Reauthorization of the Highway Bill

The following is a list of project requests I received from constituents for submission to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for consideration in the upcoming Highway Bill reauthorization.

Not all of these projects will be funded and only a few of them will be funded at the requested level.

The Congressionally-directed spending in the Highway Bill will represent only about one percent of all spending in the bill. If these district projects were not presented to the Committee for its consideration, the overall spending in the bill would not decrease. Instead, that money would be spent on infrastructure projects in other parts of the Country. Since these projects are funded by gasoline taxes – which most East Tennesseans pay – I feel it is only fair that East Tennessee receives its share of funding in this bill.

The Highway Bill is reauthorized approximately every five years. The requested amounts listed below represent the total amount requested for each project over the five-year period.

 

Roadway Improvements-Morganton Road (Blount County) - $4,402,888
Reconstruct Morgantown Road by widening the road with improved shoulders, turn lanes and make drainage improvements which will enhance the road’s safety.

Roadway Improvements-Old Niles Ferry Road from Calderwood Hwy (Blount County) - $4,488,792
Reconstruct Old Niles Ferry Road from Caldwerwood Highway to the Maryville City limits by adding turn and acceleration lanes and enhancing intersections to improve safety.

Roadway Improvements-Ellejoy Rd and Jefferies Hollow Rd (Blount County) - $8,405,282
Improvements to Ellejoy Road which include widening, resurfacing, adding turn lanes and resurfacing to improve safety and reduce congestion.

Pellissippi Research Center Entry Road (Blount County) - $6,400,000
This project involves completing design and constructing the reminder of the main entry through the Pellissippi Research Center in Blount County, Tennessee.

Robert C. Jackson Drive (Blount County) - $9,700,000
Robert C. Jackson Drive extension from Middlesettlements Road to Louisville Road.

US411/SR35 Seiverville Road (Blount County) - $9,400,000
Constructing a new alignment of US411/SR35 and US321 to improve this intersection. With this project’s completion, all truck traffic can be routed around Maryville’s downtown streets. This project is part of the state’s Long-Range Transportation Plan.

Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency's (SETHRA) McMinn County - $480,000
Construct a transit facility in Athens, Tennessee. This facility will serve as a transfer station for public transit in McMinn County, Tennessee.

SR-30 Bypass In McMinn County, Tennessee - $11,900,000
This project includes the design and planning of a new bypass from I-75 at mile marker 47 to a new interchange at US-11 and then connecting with State Route 30. This will increase mobility from US411 to I-75.

Foothills Parkway Great Smoky Mountains National Park - $97,815,000
This project will use funds from the Federal Lands Highway Program to finish construction and open the Foothills Parkway from Walland to Wears Valley.

New Bridge Construction on US-321/SR-73 Loudon County - $64,000,000
This involves the construction of new bridges to replace deficient structures on the Tennessee River at Fort Loudon Dam and Highway 321. This project is included in the State’s Long-Range Transportation Plan.

Cumberland Avenue Railroad Overpass Improvements/Knox South (Knoxville) - $10,000,000
This will improve the Cumberland Avenue Railroad overpass to enhance sight lines which will provide a safer overpass for motorists, pedestrians and others using this portion of Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville.

Bus and Bus-Related Faciities (Knoxville Area Transit) - $12,600,000
This project will involve bus replacement, the modernization of a maintenance facility, and helping complete the transit center currently under construction.

Knoxville South Waterfront UT Pedestrian Bridge (Knoxville) - $10,000,000
This project will provide pedestrian access from the University of Tennessee to the South Knoxville Waterfront.

High Mast Lighting Exit 62 I-75 (Monroe County) - $150,000
This project installs high-mast lighting at exit 62 on I-75 to improve visibility and enhance safety at this exit.

Highway 322 construct 8.5 miles (Monroe County) - $25,000,000
Completion of Highway 322 in Monroe County will reduce congestion and improve safety in Monroe County, Tennessee.

Improve Exit 407 and study potential of exit at mile marker 408 on I-40 (Sevier County) - $31,200,000
Design, reconfigure and construct improvements at Exit 407 on I-40 in Sevier County to reduce congestion and improve safety. This project will also look at the benefits of a new potential exit at mile marker 408 on I-40.

Bridge over the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River (Sevier County) - $2,800,000
Design and construction of a new bridge to provide access from US 441 to Lonesome Valley Road in Sevier County, Tennessee.

Streetscape Improvements at The University of Tennessee - $4,000,000
The purpose of this project is to plan and construct a new entrance to the University of Tennessee. Improved lighting and pedestrian access will enhance the safety of motorist and pedestrians.

National Transportation Research Center (Heavy Vehicle Safety Research) - $20,000,000
To research, demonstrate and deploy technology specifically focused on commercial vehicle safety, security and efficiency by addressing the U.S. Department of Transportation’s critical research needs.

National Transportation Research Center- Infrastructure Materials Research - $5,000,000
Researching new infrastructure materials that will result in faster infrastructure repair and more efficient and cost-effective construction.

SE Transportation Center for Excellence - $5,000,000
This Center will provide research which will result in technology that will improve safety, reduce congestion and have the potential for economic development.