Part of South Illinois Ave. remains closed

Posted at 12:55 pm January 23, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A large high-voltage transmission tower was knocked down in a single-vehicle crash at Union Valley Road and South Illinois Avenue on Friday afternoon, Jan. 22, 2021, causing widespread power outages. Repairs are being made. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The section of South Illinois Avenue between Bethel Valley Road and Lafayette Drive remains closed after a crash knocked over a high-voltage transmission tower on Friday afternoon, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Saturday morning.

The ORPD posted a roadway update at 10 a.m. Saturday. Officers advised drivers to seek alternate routes and expect delays.

Police expect the road to remain closed throughout the evening. Both northbound and southbound lanes are blocked.

Here are detour routes:

Northbound (toward Knoxville)

Option 1:

Turn onto Scarboro Road from South Illinois Avenue
Turn left onto Bethel Valley Road
Merge onto South Illinois Avenue

Option 2:

From South Illinois Avenue, turn left onto Lafayette Drive
Turn right onto Emory Valley Road
Turn right onto Edgemoor Road and follow to South Illinois Avenue

Southbound (from Knoxville):

Option 1:

Take Bethel Valley Road from South Illinois Avenue
Turn right onto Scarboro Road to South Illinois Avenue

Option 2:

Take the Edgemoor Road exit from South Illinois Avenue
Turn left onto Melton Lake Drive
Turn left onto Emory Valley Road or Oak Ridge Turnpike

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