Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Motorists using I-40 Exit 407 for destinations such as Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains and other local areas should be aware of changes to the traffic pattern as the new Diverging Diamond Interchange opens.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will open the new I-40 Exit 407 Diverging Diamond interchange to traffic on the morning of Tuesday, June 30, 2015. Signage will be in place to direct motorists to I-40, State Route 66, and local businesses.
See an animation of the I-40 Exit 407 traffic pattern:
In order to complete final paving and striping in the area, a partial detour will be necessary from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Monday night, June 29, 2015. During that time, traffic on I-40 West wanting to go South on SR 66 must detour at Mile Marker 402 (Midway Road) and return to I-40 East. Traffic on I-40 East wanting to go North on SR 66 must detour at Mile Marker 412 (Deep Springs Road/Douglas Dam) and return to I-40 West. This work is weather permitting.
Drivers are encouraged to use caution and pay close attention to signs and pavement markings, as they grow accustomed to the new traffic pattern.
Following the opening of the new interchange, crews will still be working in this area to complete the median curb and gutter, as well as to place permanent paving and striping along the State Route 66 portion of the project.
From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any landline or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel.
Drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
The I-40 Exit 407 Diverging Diamond interchange project was awarded to J & M Grading Division LLC for $15,647,551.60 and work started on March 12, 2014. The contract completion date is July 14, 2015.
Fix the rest of 66 at Smoky Mountain Knife Works. This has taken way longer than it should have. It’s time to get it done. I hate driving by and seeing guys just standing around smoking and doing nothing.
The diverging diamond interchange was listed by Popular Science magazine as one of the best innovations in 2009 (engineering category) in “Best of What’s New 2009”.
Like the continuous flow intersection, the diverging diamond interchange allows for two-phase operation at all signalized intersections within the interchange. This is a significant improvement in safety, since no long turns (e.g. left turns where traffic drives on the right side of the road) must clear opposing traffic and all movements are discrete, with most controlled by traffic signals.
Additionally, the design can improve the efficiency of an interchange, as the lost time for various phases in the cycle can be redistributed as green time—there are only two clearance intervals (the time for traffic signals to change from green to yellow to red) instead of the six or more found in other interchange designs.
They are gonna get someone killed with this mess. Was through there yesterday, absolutely idiotic the way it is now.
I wonder why the traditional loop arounds don’t work. With them there is no need for cross traffic.