Motorists in Greene County will experience delays early Wednesday morning as an oversized load makes its way from the Knoxville area toward the Tri-Cities. Traffic disruptions will affect 11-E from one end of Greene County to the other, as well as Interstate 81. The load will also impact traffic along the 11-E corridor before and after Greene County, potentially causing a ripple effect ahead and behind the convoy. Access streets and roads to 11-E will also be closed at times while the load is approaching and passing.
The shipment is part of a delivery of equipment headed to Eastman in Kingsport. A similar wide load traveled to Eastman last month via 11-W, which did not affect traffic in Greene County.
The load will be accompanied by rolling roadblocks from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and will travel northbound on Highway 11-E through Greene County between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has not indicated whether the load will be slowed or stopped to allow congested traffic to pass, so motorists behind the convoy may have limited opportunities to get in front of it.
One such opportunity may arise at the bridge over 11-E at Interstate 81. Due to the load’s size, it cannot pass under the bridge and will be rerouted off the off-ramp and back onto 11-E on the other side. This maneuver will cause traffic delays on both sides of Interstate 81, as the load will use a median crossover and descend the ramp on the opposite side of the bridge. Both lanes of interstate traffic will be closed at one point during that procedure.
In Greeneville, the load is too large to cross the bridge over Summer Street. It will exit onto Summer Street, cross the median, and then re-enter 11-E on the other side of the bridge. This will cause closures and delays on Summer Street. During this time, some traffic behind the convoy may be allowed to cross the bridge. However, once the load is back on 11-E, it is not expected to exit again until reaching Boones Creek Road in Jonesborough.
A crew traveling with the load will be available to raise or remove any power or communication lines that may interfere with its movement. This crew could also adjust any traffic lights that hang too low. TDOT has not provided exact dimensions for this load, but the previous wide load was 20 feet wide, 229 feet long, 17 feet tall, and approximately 410,000 pounds.
Local law enforcement and other officials are also involved in assisting with traffic control, however TDOT, THP, and the company moving the load are primarily responsible for the speed of the load and the duration of the delays.
The convoy is expected to arrive at Eastman around 1:00 PM on Wednesday.
