Northshore Pedestrian Safety Project moves into Phase III, should begin soon
The Northshore Pedestrian Safety Project is moving ahead quickly.
Knox County Commission approved a $828,768.50 contract with Design and Construction Services Inc. in December to construct Phase III of what has been one of Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay’s key projects since he took office four years ago.
“The project is designed to establish safe pedestrian and bicycle access to Knox County parks throughout the Northshore Drive corridor between Concord Road and Choto Road roundabouts,” Jay said.
This At-Large Seat 11 Commissioner gives more detail in the following paragraphs:
“When completed, this pedestrian safety project will connect 11,351 residents (5,280 households) and 371 businesses with safe opportunities to walk, ride or run through the Northshore Drive corridor.
“Phase I (Callaway Ridge Trailhead) was completed this summer and Phase II work on the greenway through Concord Park was completed last month. Phase III will build a new boardwalk under both bridges to allow for safe crossing under Northshore Drive.
“This new ‘boardwalk’ section (will) link Concord Park to the existing greenway that starts on the old fishing bridge just west of the Concord/Northshore roundabout, [and] will actually go under both bridges and create a path where walkers, runners and cyclists can safety travel under Northshore Drive without worrying about dangerous traffic.
“This will allow for the closing of the at-grade crossing on the east side of the bridges which has been proven very dangerous for bikers and pedestrians.”
Work will begin sometime this spring and should be completed by early summer.
“Phase IV plans are underway to continue the greenway from the Cove Park to the Choto roundabout,” Jay added. “This section of the project has not yet been funded and additional design work is currently under way.”
Jay will be holding a public meeting this spring, at a date and location yet to be determined, to outline the project and have discussions with area citizens. It “would probably be in April or May,” he said.
