Construction work has started on a $1 million state project to improve the interchange at South Illinois Avenue and Centrifuge Way in Oak Ridge.
Construction work has started on a $1.2 million state project to improve the interchange at Centrifuge Way and South Illinois Avenue, or State Route 62.
The work started Nov. 14 and could be complete by June 15, said Mark Nagi, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesman.
The work is being done by J&M Grading Division LLC of Friendsville under a $1.165 million contract, Nagi said.
The work includes building three detention ponds that will be used as sediment basins during construction, reconfiguring the interchange, and extending Centrifuge Way, which was formerly known as Boeing Road.
Work crews were expected to start laying storm water pipes on Wednesday as part of a project to improve the Centrifuge Way interchange at South Illinois Avenue.
A mix of heavy construction equipment was at the site on Tuesday, including dump trucks, trackhoes, bulldozers, and compactors. Crews are preparing to lay storm water pipes and place drainage structures, and they are cutting away a hillside to smooth it out.
The Oak Ridge City Council asked for the interchange improvements in July 2010. At the time, Oak Ridge Interim City Manager Gary M. Cinder said the city had received several requests for the improvements to the overpass.
“At present, it is a limited access facility with partial traffic movements,” Cinder said. “The requested improvements will make this interchange fully functional.”
The improvement would immediately benefit USEC, a uranium enrichment company located at the former Boeing plant, but it could also benefit the marketing of property on Pine Ridge across from USEC, Cinder said.
Note: This story could be updated later.
Jason Allison says
I for one was unaware that we were in such a dire need for this. This reminds me of the disaster they call pine ridge. The old saying “if you build it, they will come” only works in Hollywood. We need to first focus on some projects we need like removing the abandoned railroad tracks they are causing unnecessary damage to vehicles for the folks who cross them at 45mph on a daily basis. I haven’t seen any more traffic from USEC and there surely hasen’t been an increase because of the under developed new neighborhood. Please Oak Ridge, lets concentrate on projects we truly need.
TJ Garland says
This project was pushed by N. Revis. He is desperately trying to find a way to market Pine Ridge to the city.
Jason Allison says
I guess I fall in with the rest of the crowd who are dumbfounded by the poor business decisions of others. As a kid I would camp on pine ridge so I know what it took to fill the valley in. Now we’re treated to the eyesore that was left behind. As is said, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and Oak Ridge has fell further down the spiral.