October 8, 2014 - This week's rain has provided challenges for KUB and Garney Construction crews working on the Downtown Century II Multiple Utilities Upgrade Project. Crews are transitioning from their work zones along South Central Street and Commerce Avenue to State Street. During the course of the day on Wednesday, October 8, the contractor will complete signage and pavement markings in order to transfer traffic over the course of the day to the new traffic control plan. KUB and the City of Knoxville have worked together on a traffic plan that will allow the reopening of previously closed streets despite the inclement weather, and to allow easier travel in to and out of the Marble Alley area.

"Although a small portion of State Street will be closed for the next several weeks, we want to provide the public with as many options as possible to move around the construction area," said Mark Rauhuff, KUB Manager of Water Systems Engineering. "With the assistance of the City of Knoxville and our contractor, we believe allowing temporary two-way traffic along South Central Street between Union Avenue and Commerce Avenue will provide the public with easier access to Interstate 40."

In a change from previously released information, South Central Street will be bidirectional between Commerce Avenue and Union Avenue, allowing easier access to West Summit Hill Drive for traffic exiting both the State Street Garage and the Promenade Garage. This traffic plan will remain in place from October 8 through mid-November. The work on State Street will fall into two distinct time frames:

October 8-Mid October - Crews will work on State Street along the north end of the Promenade Garage. State Street will be closed to both traffic and parking from the midway point of the garage to Commerce Avenue. Traffic should enter and exit the Promenade Garage in the usual manner via the south booth. Exiting traffic will be required to turn right onto State Street, and make a left turn on to Union Avenue.

October- Mid November - State Street will be closed to traffic and parking from the midway point of the Promenade Garage to Commerce Avenue along with a full road closure of Clinch Avenue and Union Avenue (between Gay Street and State Street). A lane closure will be implemented on State Street (between Clinch Avenue and the midway point of the Promenade Garage). Traffic entering and exiting the State Street Garage will be able to use the entrance/exit on State Street, the entrance/exit on Union Avenue, and the entrance on Clinch Avenue. There will be no curbside parking along State Street during this time. Access to and from the Promenade Garage will continue to be via the south booth.

These time frames are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather and project delays. KUB will notify the public of any changes to this timeline. During this work, traffic flow will be changing, and we encourage all drivers to use caution when traveling in this area, especially during peak driving hours. Please be mindful of crews and equipment, and allow yourself additional time to reach your destination. The safety of KUB's employees, contractors, and the public is KUB's highest ethical responsibility, and our crews are working diligently to complete this project in a safe and timely manner.

KUB posts regular updates on the project on its website at www.kub.org, and on the KUB Facebook page. Additionally, KUB also has a blog at http://downtowncentury2project.blogspot.com to keep customers informed about project milestones. Customers can call 558-2330 after normal business hours to leave a message that will be followed-up with a call from a KUB representative by the end of the next business day.

KUB, a municipal utility serving Knox and parts of seven adjacent counties, provides reliable electric, gas, water, and wastewater services to more than 445,000 customers.