Cumberland Ave Project - Tailgate Questions

[aftermidnight]

All utilities were relocated to underground duct banks underneath the sidewalks. That was Phase I of the project.

You are mistaken. Most people are. One reason is that the city went back and forth about whether to bury the lines. As I said earlier though, I live in Knoxville and have followed this project religiously. I'm just nerdy like that. Here is what project director Anne Wallace said about the utilities:

Additionally, we did not move utilities underground – we saved millions, literally, by coordinating with KUB and putting the overhead utilities on new poles within the alley where there were existing overhead utilities already present. We removed outdated wooden poles and installed stronger ductile iron poles painted black to reduce impact to the visual environment.

Source:http://insideofknoxville.com/2017/02/road-diets-dont-try-this-at-home-anne-wallace-responds/

One reason people think they're buried is that they did such a good job making them inconspicuous in the current location AND they went back and forth on whether they would bury them, but ultimately decided not to. For an example of the debate, see this article from 2011: http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/lo...land-ave-project-ep-406526192-358142381.html/

One other thing I'll add: Yes, elements of the electrical system were installed within the duct banks but not the main power lines themselves

 

[Roustabout]

You are mistaken. Most people are. One reason is that the city went back and forth about whether to bury the lines. As I said earlier though, I live in Knoxville and have followed this project religiously. I'm just nerdy like that. Here is what project director Anne Wallace said about the utilities:

Additionally, we did not move utilities underground – we saved millions, literally, by coordinating with KUB and putting the overhead utilities on new poles within the alley where there were existing overhead utilities already present. We removed outdated wooden poles and installed stronger ductile iron poles painted black to reduce impact to the visual environment.

Source:http://insideofknoxville.com/2017/02/road-diets-dont-try-this-at-home-anne-wallace-responds/

One reason people think they're buried is that they did such a good job making them inconspicuous in the current location AND they went back and forth on whether they would bury them, but ultimately decided not to. For an example of the debate, see this article from 2011: http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/lo...land-ave-project-ep-406526192-358142381.html/

One other thing I'll add: Yes, elements of the electrical system were installed within the duct banks but not the main power lines themselves

Correct. There are no lines on Cumberland. The lines were placed behind the businesses on the north side of Cumberland.

 

[volnpowell]

Much of the traffic issue on Cumberland came from lack of turning lanes. It should actually help traffic flow. But, Cumberland isn't equipped to be a thoroughfare.

They should have added a pedestrian bridge.

I don't think they design a road for 6-7 days a year when there is 358 more to use it. Just my two cents.

With having some 30,000 students, hospitals in area, plus those who use it to connect to Henley street, there will always be a significant amount of traffic in area. That is why I agree with the post above about adding a pedestrian bridge and anything else they could do to help.

I will add they are building another parking garage next to Wendy's, but that will not help this year when football season starts of course, but now that they have the parking garag at the new dorm by the football stadium that should get more of the students off the streets and open up more for game day parking. Hopefully it will not take too long to get that one done too, I know it is for students, but that should still open up more for game day if they have somewhere to park.