Wednesday, January 27, 2016

January 27th Update

WATER LINE WORK TO CLOSE 1 BLOCK OF CUMBERLAND AVENUE
FOR TWO NIGHTS; ADDITIONAL WORK SCHEDULED

                From 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, until 6 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, Cumberland Avenue will be closed between 19th Street and Montcastle Street as a Knoxville Utilities Board crew installs water line infrastructure across Cumberland.

                The night-time closure will be repeated at 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, with the work to be completed by 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29.

The infrastructure upgrade is part of the City of Knoxville’s $17 million Cumberland Avenue reconstruction, to be completed by August 2017.

The reconstruction will change the existing four-lane Cumberland between 22nd and 17th streets to a three-lane cross section with a raised median and left-turn lanes at intersections. An earlier phase of work on the western end of Cumberland focused on improving traffic flow between the Alcoa Highway ramps and 22nd Street; that phase finished at the end of 2015, on time and under budget.

The City’s investment in infrastructure and streetscape upgrades will create a more attractive, safer, pedestrian-friendly Cumberland Avenue Corridor.

                Meanwhile, anticipate additional lane closures this week:

-  Though 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, a lane of South 19th Street is closed between Cumberland and Lake avenues.

-  Starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, and ending at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, North 20th Street will be closed between Cumberland and White avenues as crews install new storm drains.

- Starting at 9 a.m. Friday, January 29 and ending at 3 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the intersection of 18th Street and Cumberland Avenue will be repaved; traffic will be maintained - one lane in each direction.

There also will be several street closures this week due to work on private construction projects:

-  Through Friday afternoon, a lane of 17th Street will be closed for work associated with construction of The Standard, a 240-plus-unit apartment complex being built on the southwest corner of 17th Street and White Avenue.

-  From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, Clinch Avenue will be closed between 19th and 20th streets due to a hospital construction project.

More information is available at www.CumberlandConnect.com, on the Cumberland Connect Facebook page, facebook.com/CumberlandConnect, and on the Cumberland Connect phone app.

Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) - Monthly Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 3
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm 
Location: Copper Cellar, 1807 Cumberland Avenue

What: The merchants and other interested stakeholders meet to discuss items of interest or concern and get updates on the City's Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project.

Parking: Available parking is located at Copper Cellar. 

Friday, January 8, 2016

January 8th Update



IT’S OFFICIAL: PHASE I OF CUMBERLAND AVENUE
RECONSTRUCTION COMPLETED ON TIME, WITHIN BUDGET

                Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, City Council members and dozens of Cumberland Avenue merchants, stakeholders and reconstruction project partners cut an orange ribbon to officially dedicate the new and improved western end of Cumberland Avenue this afternoon.

                Phase I of the City of Knoxville’s $17 million Cumberland Avenue reconstruction has been completed – on time and within budget.

“We’re creating a more attractive, safer, pedestrian-friendly Cumberland Avenue Corridor, and this first phase has dramatically unclogged traffic congestion between the Alcoa Highway ramps and 22nd Street,” Mayor Rogero said.

“We’re now into Phase II – burying utility lines, upgrading infrastructure and adding left-turn lanes, medians and streetscape amenities from 22nd to 17th streets. We’re excited by the merchants’ enthusiasm and the $130 million in new private-sector investments throughout the Cumberland Corridor.”

Phase I work on the western end of Cumberland, between the Alcoa Highway ramps and 22nd Street, focused on improving traffic flow. A dedicated turn lane onto northbound Alcoa Highway and synchronized traffic signalization at Metron Center Way have lessened decades-long issues with congestion.

To be completed in August 2017, the Phase II reconstruction will change the existing four-lane Cumberland between 22nd and 17th streets to a three-lane cross section with a raised median and left-turn lanes at intersections. Cumberland Avenue sidewalks are being widened and landscaped, and utility infrastructure is being relocated and improved.

                Mayor Rogero urged people to continue to patronize their favorite Cumberland Avenue restaurants and shops.

                “Cumberland has been open for business since this project started in April, and that’s not about to change now,” she said.

“Come to Cumberland Avenue. Explore what’s new, and experience firsthand the energy and optimism. See for yourself how easy it is to get to your favorite stores and restaurants.”

                More information is available at www.CumberlandConnect.com, on the Cumberland Connect Facebook page, facebook.com/CumberlandConnect, and on the Cumberland Connect phone app.

For anyone who missed the ribbon cutting and would like to see a full video, click here or visit:
http://www.ctvknox.org/ribbon-cutting/ 

Thanks to our friends at Community Television for recording this exciting event! 

Cumberland Avenue Phase I  - watch the work! 

It all started in the Spring of 2015, upgrading utilities, installing storm water pipes, building new railroad crossings, and finished in December. If you want to see a snapshot of all the great work accomplished in Phase I (between Alcoa Highway and 22nd Street) visit www.cumberlandconnect.com or click here. Thanks to Vaughn & Melton, Inc. for capturing all that hard work! 

Next steps - Phase II

Phase II work from 22nd Street to east of 17th Street is well underway. For more information about the project check  out the Two Week Look Ahead at www.cumberlandconnect.com. There is also a Google map of work locations associated with the project, private development, and other work on going in the surrounding area. 

Additionally Cumberland Avenue area motorists, property owners, residents and students can get text messages about the most current construction-related traffic updates. Simply text "streetscape" to 313131 to sign up for the text alerts.

As always, thank you for your interest in Cumberland Avenue; have a safe and fun filled weekend. Welcome back to UT students for the Spring Semester starting, Wednesday, January 13!