A section of Melton Lake Greenway will be temporarily closed during construction of the eighth lane on the Oak Ridge Rowing Course.
The project will require approximately 500 feet of greenway to be removed and replaced at the end of construction, a press release said. The affected area is located along Melton Lake Drive between Amanda Drive and Palisades Parkway.
Due to the restricted project work zone, a temporary bypass is not expected to be feasible, the press release said. The specific start date for the closure has yet to be determined, but signs will give notice to those in the area once the closure begins. Trail users are asked to be cautious and observe all trail closure barricades and signage.
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. (See this story for more information.)
The Oak Ridge Rowing Association, 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.”
The Oak Ridge City Council approved a $548,350 contract to add the eighth lane in a 6-0 vote during a brief special meeting in early September.
The contract was awarded to First Place Finish Incorporated. The work will include a precast concrete block retaining wall and associated dredging and site work.
The press release said rowing has an annual economic impact of $2 million in Oak Ridge and the surrounding communities.
“The city would like to express its gratitude to State Representative John Ragan, State Senator Randy McNally, and all those who have worked so hard to support this important project,” the press release said.
For more information, contact the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450.
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