I-40 Reopens in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation reopened Interstate 40 through downtown Knoxville on Friday after a 14-month closure.

Since the May 1, 2008, closure, I-40 has been widened to six through lanes, four auxiliary lanes, construction or rehabilitation of 13 bridges, 15 retaining walls and three noise walls. Twelve side roads and seven new ramps were also constructed.

Originally built in the 1960s, I-40 passed through a heavily developed urban area of historic neighborhoods and commercial properties near downtown. As Knoxville grew, the highway was unable to keep up and meet the modern day traffic demands.

After extensive public outreach and community input, construction began in July 2005 on the large urban interchange project, known as SmartFIX40.

An estimated 101,000 vehicles a day typically used the section of I-40 before the closure.