Sevier Ave. Streetscapes Project

SEVIER AVENUE PROJECT

Starting in early 2025, construction of the $19.2 million Sevier Avenue streetscape project gets underway.

AT A GLANCE

• 2-year project

• Upgrades include:
- Wide ADA-compliant sidewalks
- A new railroad crossing
- New streetlights and traffic signals
- Upgraded utilities and relocation of unsightly utility lines below ground
- A roundabout at the intersection of Sevier Avenue, Foggy Bottom Street and Island Home Avenue

• With few exceptions, traffic flow on Sevier Avenue is expected to remain open in both directions throughout the construction

• Biggest component - $8.9 million construction contract with Whaley Construction (80 percent funded by the state of Tennessee)

• Another $7.6 million is being paid to Southern Constructors to build utility conduit and a duct bank, and to reimburse Knoxville Utilities Board, AT&T and Comcast for relocating utilities underground; the utility portion of the project is completely City-funded

• $19.2 million total project cost reflects design work, right-of-way acquisition and construction

KEY DATES / TIMELINE

Work will begin on the east end of the project area. Infill will raise the eastern side, where the roundabout will be constructed, by 6 to 7 feet up to grade. Utility work is scheduled to begin on the western side of Sevier Avenue this summer, when there are no classes at nearby South Knoxville Elementary School.

FILES OF INTEREST

• Sevier Avenue Corridor Public Parking Map [PDF]

• Current Construction Plans for Sevier Avenue Road Improvements [PDF]

• Most recent Sevier Ave. Roadway Project Sheet from Engineering [PDF]

• 02/22/2024 - Tennessee River Waterfront Connectivity Framework Study [PDF]

• Project Archives

QUESTIONS?

Call 3-1-1, and you will be contacted by whichever City staff person has the expertise and direct involvement to address your questions.

PROJECT NEWS

Status Update #3: Paved Parking Beneath JWP
Posted: 02/19/2025
Mayor Indya Kincannon attended the Feb. 13 meeting of the Old Sevier Merchants Association - and came with some good news. If City Council approves the funding, the City later this year will be paving the gravel 50-vehicle parking lot on Island Home Avenue, beneath James White Parkway. Read More
Status Update #2: Where Do I Park?
Posted: 01/28/2025
Did you know there are more than 600 public parking spaces (albeit, some closer and more convenient than others) along the Sevier Avenue corridor? That number of available parking spaces won't be reduced during the two-year construction of the Sevier Avenue Streetscapes Project. The project's private contractors have arranged for separate parking for their work crews. Read More
Status Update #1: Work to Begin Next Week
Posted: 01/17/2025
Anticipate work beginning in earnest next week on the Sevier Avenue Streetscapes Project. What's that mean for merchants and residents? Read More
Knoxville City Council Approves Sevier Avenue Improvements
Posted: 10/01/2024
Knoxville City Council approves spending millions for Sevier Avenue improvements, as well as 'Magnolia Avenue Corridor Redevelopment Plan' Read More
Council to Vote on Sevier, Magnolia Projects
Posted: 09/30/2024
Investing in two corridors – the $19.2 million Sevier Avenue streetscape project and creation of a Magnolia Avenue Corridor Redevelopment Plan – will be up for votes at the Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, City Council meeting. Read More

Sevier Ave. Streetscapes Project

Status Update #3: Paved Parking Beneath JWP

Status Update #2: Where Do I Park?

Status Update #1: Work to Begin Next Week

Knoxville City Council Approves Sevier Avenue Improvements

Council to Vote on Sevier, Magnolia Projects