How is Knoxville upgrading infrastructure amid rapid growth?

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – With Knox County attracting more people each year than almost any Tennessee county, how is the City of Knoxville preparing infrastructure for the influx of new residents? City records outline what projects crews focus on and what could be coming down the pipeline.

For the second year in a row, Knox County ranked as the second-fastest growing county in the state, with a population that broke the half-million threshold for the first time.

Previous Coverage: Knox County second-fastest growing Tennessee county, census data shows

Data from the City of Knoxville shows ten active construction projects and almost 50 projects in the design phase. The city’s list of active projects implies that it focuses on road improvements, renovations, and beautification jobs.

Here’s a map showing current and upcoming projects:

For example, the most expensive active project is a two-phase resurfacing job. It’s got a price tag of $8.6 million and is billed as the city’s annual resurfacing program.

City crews are actively working on roads all over Knoxville. Phase I of the project includes around 17 miles of resurfacing, and Phase II includes about 15 miles.

Also on the list are several sidewalk projects. Half the ten active projects listed include adding or improving sidewalks throughout Knoxville. Other improvements, like adding street lights and parking to Waterfront Drive, bike lanes and alterations to Kingston Pike, and more, are also rolled into those projects.

Those five sidewalk and roadway improvement projects cost the city an estimated $9.7 million.

Also on the list is a $300,000 guardrail project. The goal is to replace and maintain guardrails throughout Knoxville as needed.

Cradle of Country Music Park is on the list for improvement. In 2022, the city approved an almost $800,000 project to install an art installation to provide shade and improve the park. Renders show a mushroom-esque structure.

Also listed is a reroofing project for the Dr. E.V. Davidson Community Center. The goal being to replace the aging roof and HVAC system for an estimated $700,000.

Of course, Augusta Quarry is also getting a $3.5 million upgrade. It’s slated to include a new traffic light for Fort Dickerson Park, underground utilities, and, in Phase II, bathhouses, path improvements, and a pier for the quarry.

There are also 47 projects currently in the design phase. They are slated for all over Knoxville but require funding and some final detail work before they can get off the ground.

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