Blog: City Blog

Construction Underway on $1.5 M Lancaster Drive Sidewalk and Utility Upgrades

ICYMI, work on a new connective sidewalk on the west side of Lancaster Drive, between Tilson Street and Sevierville Pike, is now underway.

The project is a combined investment of more than $1.5 million: Close to $1.1 million by the City, all local funding, and more than $480,000 from KUB for replacing water lines and upgrading wastewater infrastructure.

Utility work begins as part of building a new $1.5 million Lancaster Drive sidewalk.

Utility work begins as part of building a new $1.5 million Lancaster Drive sidewalk.

Pictured here is the initial utilities work, being done by the City's project contractor, Southern Constructors Inc.

The new sidewalk will connect existing sidewalks on Sevierville Pike with the Urban Wilderness and Baker Creek Preserve. More specifically, the safe new pedestrian route will better connect residences, businesses, South-Doyle Middle School and the Baker Creek Pavilion site.

The project also supports transit. The sidewalk will make it easier and safer for riders to access KAT Route 40, which follows Sevier Avenue and Sevierville Pike. A concrete pad will be installed at Lancaster and Sevierville Pike to accommodate a KAT bus shelter.

The City of Knoxville prioritizes increasing walkability and connectivity. Just look back at City Council's actions at its Feb. 21 meeting, when roughly $4.7 million worth of projects were approved or amended to increase funding.

The Atlantic Avenue sidewalk project through McKinnon Construction Co. was increased to $3.3 million. Design and Construction Services will enter into a $1.2 million contract to make citywide sidewalk repairs. And Johnson, Mirmiran and Thompson will provide $232,000 in CEI (Construction Engineering and Inspection) services for the Kingston Pike Complete Connections Project, design improvements to make a section of the pike safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and KAT riders.

Posted by evreeland On 31 March, 2023 at 12:30 PM