Asheville Highway sign
Knox County Mayor speaks during the dedication ceremony on Monday afternoon.
District 41 Wildlife Officer Jeff Webb, State Representative Harry Brooks, TVA Senior Manager of Public Outreach and Recreation Bucky Edmondson, TWRA Regional Manager John Gregory, TWRA Special Asst. to the Director in Policy and Legislation Chris Richardson, and Knox Co. Mayor Tim Burchett officially opening the access area for public use.
Sportsmen and women, boaters, anglers, and paddlers in east Tennessee now have access to an exclusive stretch of the Holston River in east Knox County at the new 11E Asheville Highway Access Area.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency along with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee Department of Transportation dedicated the new facility in a special ceremony on Monday alongside distinguished guests including Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and State Representative Harry Brooks.
Recognizing that there is very little public access to the Holston River in the 50-plus mile stretch below Cherokee Dam, the three agencies collaborated to provide the diverse user groups with river access. TDOT provided land rights and TVA provided permitting and funding to the TWRA who designed and constructed the access road, parking lot, and boat ramp. The three agencies are also surveying other areas on the Holston River for similar projects in the future.
During the ceremony, Mayor Burchett said, “Water recreation is an important part of our local economy and this access area will allow more Knox County recreationists to enjoy the water just as I did right out here fishing for striped bass.” Rep. Brooks, who represents the 19th District, took the podium and offered his sincere gratitude to the three agencies for the project and stated that the citizens of the area will substantially use the new ramp.
TVA Senior Manager of Public Outreach and Recreation, Bucky Edmondson, also spoke at the ceremony highlighting the importance of the partnership that made this project possible. He said, “Partnerships are really what it’s all about. One person, one organization, one agency, can’t do it all. If we all get together and have a common idea and work together, this is the fruition of that partnership.”
The new access area is under the J. Will Taylor Bridge on Asheville Highway near the intersection of Governor John Sevier Highway.