Officials and referees used Oak Ridge Rowing Association boats to monitor the races on the seven-lane course at the 2016 SIRA Championship Regatta in Oak Ridge on Sunday, April 17, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
The speed limit on a section of Melton Lake Drive will be temporarily reduced for at least three months starting Monday while the eighth rowing lane is built, and part of the Melton Lake Greenway will be closed as necessary, city officials said.
The speed limit will be reduced from 45 miles per hour to 25 mph along Melton Lake Drive between Amanda Drive and Palisades Parkway, a City of Oak Ridge press release said. The change will remain in place for a minimum of three months beginning Monday, October 31. Signs will be installed to warn drivers of the reduced speed limit.
The project will also require about 500 feet of greenway to be removed and replaced at the end of construction, the press release said. As a result, a section of Melton Lake Greenway between Amanda Drive and Palisades Parkway will be temporarily closed.
Due to site preparation work, the greenway will close Friday, October 28, but will reopen for the weekend. The closure will be put back in place for the duration of the project on Monday, October 31, the press release said.
“Trail users are asked to be cautious and observe all trail closure barricades and signage,” the release said.
The construction of the eighth rowing lane is funded by a combination of state appropriations, City Capital Improvement funds, and a state tourism grant awarded to the Anderson County Tourism council specifically for the eighth lane project. The Oak Ridge Rowing Association (ORRA), Explore Oak Ridge (the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau), and Visit Knoxville are also contributing agencies.
“These entities have come together to fund a project that will allow the world-class Oak Ridge Rowing Course to attract more and larger events,” the press release said. “The new lane also ensures that the Oak Ridge course will remain competitive as one of the top-ranked rowing venues in the United States.”
Rowing has an annual economic impact of $2 million in Oak Ridge and the surrounding communities, the release said.
“The city would like to express its gratitude to Tennessee Representative John Ragan, State Senator Randy McNally, and all those who have worked so hard to support this important project,” the release said.
For more information, please contact the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
See previous stories on the eighth rowing lane here.
Philip W Nipper says
“Signs will be installed to warn drivers”. I hope that in addition to signs there will be a significant police presence in the area to enforce the posted speed limit. Otherwise drivers will, as they do throughout most of the city, exceed the posted speed limit.
Matt Bailey says
I have a feeling you can bet there will be a significant presence.