Roane County Commission to Consider I-40 Safety Resolution Monday Night

The Roane County Commission will meet Monday, March 9, at 6:00 p.m. at the courthouse in Kingston, where commissioners are expected to vote on a joint resolution urging state transportation officials to address safety concerns along Interstate 40 and connecting state routes throughout Roane County.

The proposed resolution, developed in coordination with municipal leaders across the county, cites public safety data showing an average of 1,703 roadway incidents per year over the past three years. That equates to nearly five emergency responses per day, creating what officials describe as an unsustainable strain on local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services.

County leaders also express concern that current and ongoing construction projects may not have fully accounted for traffic demands associated with nearby Department of Energy operations. Officials question whether existing roadway capacity would adequately support emergency traffic flow in the event of a major incident.

Particular attention is given to bridge construction near the entrance to Melton Hill Dam, which the resolution states is contributing to significant traffic backups expected to last approximately six months.

Recommendations to TDOT

The resolution asks the Tennessee Department of Transportation to consider the following measures:

• Reduce the speed limit on I-40 through Roane County to 60 miles per hour
• Install new overhead warning signage
• Improve ramp integrity to ensure visibility, emergency access, and prohibit parking on ramps
• Prioritize widening I-40 from two lanes to three lanes in both directions across the county’s 23-mile stretch
• Expand acceleration and deceleration lanes at exits and entrances
• Restrict 18-wheeled commercial vehicles to the right lane only between mile markers 340 and 362

The resolution is expected to pass unanimously when commissioners meet Monday evening.

BBB-TV will continue to monitor the discussion and provide updates as the proposal moves forward.