KNOXVILLE - The Knoxville City Council approved amendments this evening to two contracts as part of Mayor Indya Kincannon’s initiative to reopen the Gay Street Bridge for pedestrian and bicycle access by December 31, 2025. This decision comes in light of the bridge's closure last summer due to safety concerns identified by inspections from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). The bridge, which is 127 years old, was found to have a compromised structural element and subsequent inspections revealed additional defects necessitating significant repair work.

To address these issues, the City has contracted Charles Blalock & Sons Inc. to stabilize the bridge, focusing particularly on redesigning the north end, where Gay Street and Hill Avenue intersect. As part of the modifications, vehicle turn lanes that are no longer needed for motor traffic will be eliminated. Instead, a new entrance design will accommodate pedestrians and cyclists more safely while facilitating the rerouted vehicle circulation.

Improvements will feature a narrowed bridge entrance designed to include designated bike lanes, enhancing the overall safety for all users. Moreover, increased landscaping with trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers will beautify the area, while benches equipped with ADA-accessible seating will be installed alongside improved access ramps to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

To fund these enhancements, the City Council has approved an increase of $190,000 to the Blalock contract, which will cover essential work at the tie-ins on both ends of the bridge. Additionally, the contract with Gresham Smith has been raised by $64,000 to facilitate further study of traffic signalization and traffic flow at the critical Hill Avenue-Gay Street intersection.

The total financial commitment for stabilizing and reopening the bridge now stands at $2.7 million, which remains within the allocated project budget. Moreover, the City Council has secured authorization for Mayor Kincannon to apply for a $1 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration. This grant aims to explore long-term options for potentially replacing the Gay Street Bridge with a modern structure capable of supporting vehicular traffic again in the future.

These initiatives reflect a commitment to enhance infrastructure safety and functionality while promoting active transportation options in the city.