Below is a copy of the reply they sent back to some concerning Dixie Lee but nothing on the other projects.

Thanks for sharing with me.

Thank you for your comments in regard to Dixie Lee Junction in Knox/Loudon County.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation values your input and takes every comment very seriously, and we are truly sorry for any inconvenience you may have encountered as a result of this project. Although it may appear that the contractor has left this project, it is not completed. The final riding surface has not been installed yet. The asphalt currently in place is base material installed in preparation for final surfacing.

Ride quality and aesthetics will improve significantly, upon final paving, which is currently scheduled for the end of this month.

The contractor has until November 30, 2018 to finish construction, although they are currently ahead of schedule.

There are thousands of miles of roadway that TDOT must prioritize maintenance of based on physical condition, age, traffic load, and safety.

TDOT’s construction office in Maryville is currently managing 12 active construction projects in Blount, Loudon, and Monroe counties with a total cost of approximately 30 million dollars.

TDOT maintains roadways on a pay-as-you go basis, which means that we operate debt free. This fixed budget model means there is often a significant backlog of infrastructure needing attention. Though projects are typically designed and bid independently of one another, they must be constructed concurrently or that backlog could grow out of control and infrastructure deteriorate faster than we are able to maintain it.

We strive to maintain traffic flow through construction projects as best as can be managed, but sometimes inconvenience is unavoidable.

If we can be of any further assistance please call Mr. Clint Bane, District 19 Operations Manager, at (423)566-9631 or at Clint.Bane@tn.gov.

Sincerely,       

Steven M. Borden, P.E.

Director/Assistant Chief Engineer