Knoxville City Council tonight (March 18, 2025) voted to fund two requests recommended by Mayor Indya Kincannon and City Engineering that will enhance both mobility and public safety.

One initiative will continue design work to creatively detour around a greenway barrier and open up wider access to a large stretch of the South Waterfront riverwalk. The other project adds or refreshes highly visible protective markings at crosswalks at about 70 intersections.

Riverwalk Greenway Connection

• Cost: $315,698 for Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Inc. to provide professional design services for a critical greenway connection that will link the riverwalk at the Gay Street and Henley bridges with the Cityview Greenway to the west

• Why it matters: Currently, the two existing riverwalk sections are interrupted by the Norfolk Southern elevated rail line; the new connection will make possible a 0.8-mile seamless greenway that connects One Riverwalk, 303 Flats, Cityview, and eventually the new 348-apartment Livano Knoxville communities, as well as – in the future – new development around a planned pedestrian bridge spanning the Tennessee River

• Key fact: The railroad bypass design will use a switchback to make a significant elevation change more gradual and accessible

• Urban Wilderness Coordinator Wes Soward: "This critical connection will support the South Waterfront vision of the riverwalk. … The elevation change at this location makes it challenging to navigate with the current on-grade options along Blount Avenue, but this creative switchback design will make this section of the riverwalk more accessible for all users"


Pedestrian and Bicycle Pavement Marking Project

• Cost: $195,052 for Superior Pavement Marking Inc. to install or improve 7,700 feet of crosswalk markings, 3,650 feet of stop line markings, and 80 shared lane markings

• Why it matters: White bar pavement markings are being refreshed where they exist at 147 current crosswalks, and 18 new crosswalk markings are being added

• Key fact: Four streets are being marked with sharrows, or markings indicated shared use by motorists and bicyclists: Lockett Road, Royal Crown Drive, Buffat Mill Road, and Holston Hills Road  

•      Alternate Transportation Engineer Jon Livengood: "These markings highlight where pedestrians are likely to cross the street, or streets where bicyclists are likely to be riding; this just heightens the safety awareness of everyone"