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TPO Receives Commendations from Federal Partners

The Knoxville Regional TPO successfully completed the Federal certification review of the metropolitan transportation planning and programming process. The TPO’s mission is to advise and assist our region to improve and expand transportation choices by involving citizens and decision-makers in our plans, forums, and outreach. Every four years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) review and evaluate our planning processes to ensure that we’re meeting the federal requirements and regulations in place to help us realize that mission. The review included input and participation from TDOT, Knoxville Area Transit, TPO staff, and the public. After a three day visit from federal partners to review the work and processes of the TPO, the review team determined that all requirements for certification had been met. Beyond meeting the specified requirements, the TPO earned six commendations for exceeding expectations in certain areas: – Metropolitan Transportation Plan – Interactive Map – Air Quality & Transportation Conformity – Interagency Consultation Engagement – Public Outreach & Civil Rights – Active Knox Speaker Series – Transit Multimodal Planning – Transit Coordination – Transportation Safety Planning – Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Analysis Future recommendations include working with federal partners to expand the performance-based planning and programming process, using Title VI data to expand outreach efforts with disadvantaged populations, working closely with FHWA and TDOT during the next congestion management process update, and updating the Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems Architecture by summer of 2021. This certification is good for four years, meaning the next certification process will take place in 2024.
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Public Notice: How to Participate in the Executive Board Meeting

Instruction on how to participate in the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization Executive Board meeting and the Public Hearing on the FTA Section 5307/5339 Program of Projects The Knoxville Regional TPO Executive Board meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. will be held electronically utilizing the Zoom video-conferencing platform. Included on the agenda is the Public Hearing on the proposed transit FY2020 Program of Projects. If you wish to make a public comment on any agenda item, live during the meeting, please request access by contacting Laura Edmonds at laura.edmonds@knoxplanning.org or at 865-215-2506. As part of your request please provide your full name, email address, and indicate which agenda item you wish to provide comment. Request must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Once a request is received, you will be sent an email invitation that will include a Zoom link that will enable you to connect to the meeting. If you are unable to participate during the live meeting and you want to provide a public comment, you can do so in advance. Please send your comments to Laura Edmonds at the contact information above. Clearly indicate which agenda item your comment concerns and include your full name, email address. Comments received will be read into the record during the live meeting. Comments must be submitted no later than 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. If you only want to view the meeting and do not want to make a public comment, you can watch the meeting both live and recorded on YouTube below. Watch Meeting Additional information on the Program of Projects and the Public Hearing can be viewed here.
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Public Notice: 2020 Transit Program of Projects (POP)

Due to social-distancing safeguards, the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Executive Board meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. will be held electronically. 

On the agenda is the Public Hearing on the proposed Program of Projects (POP) funded by FY2020 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula and Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities grants.  The meeting will utilize the Zoom video-conferencing platform.  Further information on how to access the meeting will be on the TPO website, so check frequently for updates.

The City of Knoxville is the Designated Recipient of the FTA funds.  The public involvement process, including the times established for public review and for allowing comment on the POP, follows the TPO’s Transportation Improvement Program public involvement process, as allowed by FTA and in accordance with appropriate federal regulations.  Written and, if possible, oral comments will be allowed on the proposed POP.  If there are no changes, the POP will be considered final. 

Interested persons or agencies and particularly private transportation providers are encouraged to participate in the process.  To be mailed or faxed a copy of the POP or to provide comments in advance of the meeting contact Doug Burton at 400 Main Street, Suite 403, Knoxville, TN 37902 or at (865) 215-3824 or at doug.burton@knoxtpo.org.  Comments must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 to be read at the meeting.

Proposed POP 

Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order No. 16 recognizes the unprecedented COVID-19 threat and allows electronic meetings in compliance with the state’s Open Meetings Act.  The TPO will post a recording of the meeting on the TPO website within 48 hours of its conclusion. 

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Public Notice: Change of Meeting Venue for the Technical Committee

Due to social-distancing safeguards, the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Executive Board meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. will be held electronically.
Unfortunately, the public will not be able to attend or join the meeting live. However, in keeping with Governor Lee’s Executive Order #16 the TPO will post a recording of the electronic meeting on the TPO website within 48 hours of its conclusion. The Agenda of the meeting is available here. The public can submit comments concerning items on the agenda and they will be read into the public record. To submit a comment please contact Doug Burton at 865-215-3824 or doug.burton@knoxtpo.org. Once posted, if you need assistance viewing the recorded meeting please notify the TPO at 865-215-2694 or dori.caron@knoxplanning.org.
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Public Notice: Change of Meeting Venue for the Executive Board

Due to the current situation with Covid19 and the Knox County Safer From Home Order, the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Executive Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th at 9:00 a.m. will now be held electronically.
Unfortunately, the public will not be able to attend or join the meeting live. However, in keeping with Governor Lee’s Executive Order #16 the TPO will post a recording of the electronic meeting on the TPO website within 48 hours of its conclusion. The Agenda of the meeting is available here. The public can submit comments concerning items on the agenda and they will be read into the public record up to 8:00 a.m. on March 25, 2020. To submit a comment please contact Doug Burton at 865-215-3824 or doug.burton@knoxtpo.org. Once posted, if you need assistance viewing the recorded meeting please notify the TPO at 865-215-2694 or dori.caron@knoxplanning.org.
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TDOT to Host Community Meetings on I-40/81 Corridor Study

  The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is coming to town to share news about an upcoming study. They will be looking at a range of multimodal solutions along the corridors of interstates 40 and 81. By multimodal, TDOT means that they will consider a variety of travel options beyond just automobile, including transit and other forms of freight movement. TDOT’s study is an effort to better manage congestion in the I-40/81 corridor. They also want to improve safety, look at options for diverting freight traffic, and promote economic benefits. Everyone is invited to participate in the public meetings to provide input on TDOT’s evaluation of the corridor. The first meeting is: February 20, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Cedar Bluff Library (9045 Cross Park Drive, Knoxville, TN  37923). Those unable to attend the February 20 meeting have other options to participate: Submit a comment form online or complete an online survey. And additional public meetings will be held throughout the duration of the study. At all meetings, comment forms will be provided for your input. More information about the study and upcoming meetings can be found here.
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Federal Certification Review Public Meeting

The TPO’s mission is to advise and assist our region to improve and expand transportation choices by involving citizens and decision-makers in our plans, forums, and outreach. Every four years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) review and evaluate our planning process to ensure that we’re meeting the federal requirements and regulations in place to help us realize that mission. That’s where you come in! Part of the evaluation is to hear from the public and stakeholders about how we engage with them in the transportation planning process. If you’ve been involved in one of our plans or projects over the last four years, we want to hear from you! There are two ways to provide input. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 in the Community Room at Knoxville Station Transit Center at 301 Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. You can also provide written or email comments to: Sean Santalla FHWA Tennessee Division 404 BNA Drive Building 200, Suite 508 Nashville, TN 37212 Email: sean.santalla@dot.gov Andres Ramirez FTA Region IV 230 Peachtree St, NW Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30303 Email: andres.ramirez@dot.gov Comments will be accepted until February 7, 2020.
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Upcoming Transportation Projects in Our Region

Do you know what the TIP is or how it impacts you? The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a four-year work program of transportation projects found within the Knoxville Urban Area. These projects include those relating to all modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, public transit, and automobile. By programming federal transportation investments in the region, the TIP implements the goals outlined in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Mobility Plan 2040, which charts a long-term transportation system vision for our region. The TIP is developed in cooperation with local municipalities, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and any affected public transportation operators. All projects in the TIP must be consistent with or selected from the MTP, and must be fiscally constrained based on estimated revenues. In October, the Knoxville TPO Executive Board approved an update to the TIP to cover fiscal years 2020 through 2023. Within this program, more than $493 million is committed to 73 projects. Fifty-one of those are existing projects being carried over from the 2017-2020 TIP, and the other 22 are new. With each program update, considerable funds are designated to a variety of transportation projects that have a major impact on our region. Because of this, we want to highlight a handful of those projects scheduled within the next few years. South Waterfront Greenway – East of Suttree Photo of redevelopment along the South Waterfront that will eventually connect to this portion of riverwalk expansion With this project, the City of Knoxville will continue construction of the South Waterfront Riverwalk. This portion of the project will connect the section of cantilevered riverwalk along Island Home Avenue to the Suttree Landing Park riverwalk east of Foggy Bottom Street along the Tennessee River. Total project cost: $7.8 million Programmed for design in 2020, right of way (ROW) in 2021, and construction in 2022. More: http://knoxvilletn.gov/blog/One.aspx?portalId=270905&postId=15504029&portletAction=viewpost Blount County Greenway Trail Ph. 1 Photo of existing greenway in Blount County This is the first greenway project proposed by Blount County and is a link in the Maryville-to-Townsend greenway trail. It ranges from Maryville City Limits at the northwest corner of Helton Road along US 321 to Perry’s Mill parking area. The project also includes a bike access link to Old Walland Highway from Melrose Station Bridge. Total project cost: $2.9 million Programmed for design in 2020 and seeking construction funding through TDOT’s multimodal access grant More: https://knoxblounttrail.org/ Oak Ridge Rails to Trails A Rails to Trails project is underway on abandoned rails from Elza Gate Park at the Oak Ridge Turnpike to the Y-12 National Security Complex on Scarboro Road and along Belgrade Road, Warehouse Road, Fairbanks Road, and Lafayette Drive. This project connects major employment centers, neighborhoods, and schools while providing an alternative route for non-motorized travel through the city’s most developed area. Total project cost: $4.4 million Programmed for ROW and construction in 2020. More: https://www.oakridger.com/news/20190306/citys-rails-to-trails-project-moves-ahead Note – link references old cost estimate, so could lead to confusion about total cost TPO – Regional Pavement Management System The project will use data to evaluate roadway pavement conditions to determine needs and cost estimates for resurfacing and other treatments. This system, which is based on the most current pavement data collection technology, GIS software, and other pavement management software tools, will allow local jurisdictions to prioritize maintenance and rehabilitation treatments within various budget scenarios. The project is open to all jurisdictions within the TPO planning area that want to participate. Total project cost (estimate is contingent on how many jurisdictions participate): $625,000 Programmed for implementation in 2020 TPO – Section 5310 Funds Photo of TPO staff Doug Burton and Dori Caron awarding a van to the Sertoma Center through the 5310 program This project provides ongoing funding to enhance mobility for senior and persons with disabilities. The funding is awarded to programs that serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations beyond traditional public transportation services and Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit services. The project is open to all jurisdictions within the TPO planning area. Total project cost: $3.4 million More: https://knoxtpo.org/2019/01/17/tpo-distributes-funds-providing-transportation-options-to-seniors-and-persons-with-disabilities/ Knox County – County-wide Transportation Study This study will prioritize needed road improvements based on existing and proposed land use, taking into account crash data, traffic volume, and road widths. The study will develop proposed road cross sections and help direct community investments to prepare the county for continued growth. Operational and multi-modal opportunities will be addressed. The Northshore Drive corridor will be a particular focus of the study. Total Project cost: $625,000 Programmed to study in 2020 TDOT – Pellissippi Parkway/Hardin Valley Interchange Section of Hardin Valley Road near where the interchange improvements will occur This project will modify the existing interchange to improve capacity, safety, and operations. It will also add a new northbound on-ramp in the northeast quadrant. Total project cost: $6.8M Programmed for NEPA, design, ROW and construction in 2020 TDOT – Alcoa Highway from Woodson Drive to Cherokee Trail Interchange This project will widen a section of Alcoa Highway from four lanes to six. It also includes the construction of a segment of the Knox-Blount Greenway through the corridor. This is one phase of the overall improvement project for Alcoa Highway that includes widening, new access roads, roundabouts, greenways, and other enhancements along the entire length of the heavily trafficked highway. Total project cost: $88M Programmed for implementation in 2020 More:  https://knoxblounttrail.org/ https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr115-us-129-alcoa-highway.html