In order to assist travelers in Campbell County, the Tennessee Department of Transportation is constructing a crossover lane on Interstate 75. Last Friday, both lanes of I-75 South were closed following the collapse of a section of embankment near Mile Marker 144.
When the crossover is completed, one lane of southbound I-75 traffic will be shifted to one northbound lane. There will be two lanes for northbound traffic, and one lane for southbound traffic. This temporary traffic pattern will remain in place until repairs to the slide area can be completed.
The I-75 crossover lane is expected to be in place by Friday.
There is no timetable as to when I-75 South will re-open to normal traffic patterns.
Until the crossover lane is complete, two detour routes remain in place:
- Motorists are advised to detour at Exit 160 in Jellico and turn left to follow US 25W to LaFollette, then back to I-75 South at Exit 134 in Caryville.
- Wide loads must exit I-75 at Exit 160 in Jellico and turn right to follow SR 297 West to SR 63, then back to I-75 South at Exit 141.
For travel and TDOT construction information, please visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway, or call 511 from any landline or cellular phone. You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets. Smart phone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras and information on construction-related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.