Maryville, TN – Construction on a one-mile stretch of Carpenters Grade Road in Maryville will officially begin on March 3, with an anticipated completion date in 2026. City officials have outlined plans for lane widening and the addition of a sidewalk to improve safety and ease the flow of traffic along a section of the road that has long been considered difficult to navigate.
The area in question, situated between the two ends of Cochran Road, is currently about 18 feet wide with no shoulder, which has contributed to driving stress for motorists. According to city staff, the road improvements will address these issues by enhancing both the functionality and safety of the heavily traveled route.
Phased Construction and Traffic Disruptions
The construction process will be carried out in phases, with contractors beginning work and moving equipment into place ahead of the March start date. City officials have warned residents that detours and lane closures will be necessary during the construction process. In an effort to minimize the impact on daily traffic, the city plans to use Cochran Road in conjunction with Carpenters Grade Road for directional traffic.
From March through May, traffic will be diverted to Cochran Road. Starting in July, Carpenters Grade Road will become one-way (outbound only), with inbound traffic being rerouted through Cochran Road for approximately nine months. Workers will also improve the intersection during this phase to streamline the traffic flow and improve overall safety for drivers during the construction period.
Brian Boone, director of engineering and public works, explained that the phased approach would allow for continued access to the road while minimizing the overall timeline and cost of the project. “The goal is to balance the necessary improvements with the least amount of disruption for the people who use this road every day,” Boone said.
With approximately 12,000 cars passing through the area daily, the city aims to complete the project while keeping traffic moving as smoothly as possible.
Escalating Costs
While the city initially estimated the cost of the road improvements at $3.5 million back in 2018, the price tag has ballooned to a projected $10 million. This increase is largely due to the need to upgrade utilities in the area and rising material costs. The addition of utility infrastructure will add $3.5 million to the original $7.5 million roadwork estimate.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Stoltenberg highlighted that the unforeseen challenges, including the need for eminent domain to acquire necessary land, had made the project more complex than originally anticipated. “This project has certainly been a learning experience for all of us, and it’s making us reconsider how we approach similar future projects,” Stoltenberg said during a recent City Council work session.
The rising costs and complications of this project have led the city to reassess its plans for improving other nearby roads, such as Old Niles Ferry, Tuckaleechee Pike, and Wilkinson Pike. Stoltenberg noted that the Carpenters Grade project could serve as a “case study” for future road improvements, suggesting that the city may need to scale back its ambitions to make other projects more financially feasible.
Communication and Public Awareness
As work on the Carpenters Grade Road project gets underway, city officials are focusing on keeping the public informed about potential disruptions and detours. Officials have emphasized the importance of effective communication to ensure that residents are aware of the changes and can plan accordingly.
While the project will certainly cause some inconvenience, the city is hopeful that the long-term benefits will outweigh the temporary disruptions. The road improvements are expected to provide a safer, more efficient driving experience for all who use this key stretch of roadway in Maryville.
As construction continues, the city’s efforts to upgrade Carpenters Grade Road will likely serve as a model for similar projects throughout the region in the years to come.
