Motorists might have noticed: The dense underbrush is gone, and two entrances into downtown Knoxville off Interstate 40 have been freshly landscaped and mulched. 

Over several weeks, the City of Knoxville's Urban Forestry Division has been managing a project to beautify and maintain key entry points along I-40. The City partnered with the Knox County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff J.J. "Jimmy" Jones to use county work crews to remove weeds and invasive vegetation within these areas. 

Kasey Krouse, Urban Forester for the City of Knoxville, identified high-visibility tracts along I-40 exits 388 (to Henley Street) and 389 (to James White Parkway/Neyland Drive) that needed maintenance. The crews, following Krouse's work plan, then cleared out undesirable species and underbrush, helping to improve the overall aesthetics. 

The land along these exits had already been landscaped during the SmartFIX40 project, but maintenance since the project's completion has been minimal, Krouse said. Access to the areas is limited and difficult. 

"Over time, invasive trees and shrubs came in, so the county work crews went in and removed the invasive species," Krouse said. "It's a great partnership with Knox County. We're thrilled to be able to make such a difference so quickly, at no cost to taxpayers." 

An estimated 120 hours of labor have been invested in the project. More maintenance will be scheduled throughout the year. 

Next up: The Urban Forestry Division is looking to improve areas through invasive species removal along I-40 exits 380 (West Hills) and 383 (Papermill Drive) for the next projects. Krouse said the maintenance along those exits will be completed within the year.