Because thunderstorms, drizzle or at least a chance of spotty showers are predicted over 10 of the next 12 days, a planned storm drain installation across Lyons View Pike near Harley Drive has been postponed.

The week-long project to alleviate flooding in the area had been planned to begin Saturday, Feb. 17. The wet weather and saturated soil have moved the start date back a week – tentatively, to Saturday, Feb. 24, with the work to be completed by Saturday, March 3. But the project’s work schedule will be determined by when there’s dry weather.

Once conditions allow the work to get underway, the drain installation will close Lyons View Pike to through traffic, but local traffic will be able to access residences, businesses and other destinations.
 
Through traffic should detour around the closure and work site by using Kingston Pike and Northshore Drive. Eastbound through traffic on Westland Drive should turn left at Northshore, then right (eastbound) onto Kingston Pike. Westbound through traffic on Kingston Pike would go past Lyons View, turning left into Northshore, then right (westbound) onto Westland.

Throughout the installation, residents will be able to access their homes, and visitors will be able to get in and out of Cherokee Country Club and Lakeshore Park from Lyons View Pike, but choosing the correct route will depend on the destination.

For example, Lakeshore Park is on the western end of Lyons View Pike, so during the installation, it will only be accessible by entering Lyons View Pike from Westland or Northshore; the closure at Harley Drive will prevent access to the park from the east on Lyons View.

Similarly, Cherokee Country Club on the eastern end of Lyons View Pike can only be accessed by entering Lyons View Pike from Kingston Pike near Sequoyah Hills.

City crews at Harley Drive are replacing the entire cross drain underneath Lyons View Pike and building two new drainage structures. The City is coordinating with Knoxville Utilities Board as KUB crews will take advantage of the City’s road closure and excavation to replace a section of sewer line. 

The work will start on the first dry weekend – Feb. 24 is the target date – to minimize the impact on heavier work-day traffic flow.