Traffic Delays Expected in Jefferson City Monday Evening

Heavy Haul to be transported on Tennessee roads, could cause traffic delays

The shipment of a large generator from Knoxville, TN to Greeneville, TN will impact motorists traveling State Route 168 (John Sevier Hwy.), SR 34 (US 11E), SR 32 (US 25E), and SR 160 beginning Monday evening, August 26^th.  Barnhart Crane and Rigging is working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to alert motorists of the 60 mile route that will be used to transport this generator.

The vessel and transportation rigging is 16 feet wide, 175 feet long and will take up at least two travel lanes.  The hauling rig, trucks and vessel combined weigh an estimated 256 tons.   In order to safely move the massive structure, crews will only drive between 8 to 25 miles per hour with law enforcement escorts.

Crews will start the trek at Forks of the River Industrial Park in Knox County on Monday, August 26^th at 7:00 p.m., weather permitting.  It is estimated to take up to 8 hours for the generator to travel 42 miles to Morristown, TN.

Planned route:

• Transport leaves Forks of the River Industrial Park at 7:00 p.m. and travels on National Drive to SR-168, also known as John Sevier Highway.
• Transport will travel northbound on John Sevier Highway, turning right onto Strawberry Plains Pike. They will continue on Strawberry Plains Pike to US 11E (Asheville Highway), and into the Jefferson City limits.
• Transport will continue on US 11E up to and through Jefferson City into Morristown, and turn right onto SR 160 around Morristown to US 25E.
• Transport will continue northbound on US 25E to Night 1 Stop Point.

For up-to-date travel information, motorists may dial 5-1-1 from any land line or cell phone, or follow TDOT on Twitter.  For traffic information in Knoxville and Tri-Cities areas follow @Knoxville511.  For statewide travel information follow @TN511.

As always, motorists are encouraged to check traffic conditions before leaving.  When travelers encounter traffic delays on the roadway, they should always practice common sense safety precautions when using any of these services and avoid texting, tweeting or operating a cell phone when driving.