Be careful on the bypass routes

‘Please be mindful of speed limits in those residential areas’- CPD Chief Freddie Stagnolia

TOP PHOTO: For the next several months, the four lane is down to one lane in each direction around Cove Lake as bridge repair continues.

Bruce Gap Road is a popular short cut around the congestion created by the bridge repairs on the Cove Lake bridges on the four lane.

CARYVILLE, TN (WLAF) – Caryville and Jacksboro Police are keeping an extra eye on a favorite bypass of the Cove Lake bridge repairs; Eagle Bluff, Butter & Egg and Bruce Gap Roads. “Extra caution is needed with the increased traffic,” said Jacksboro Police Chief Daniel Smith.

“There has been an increase the last two days of drivers disregard for school bus stop devices. Both departments doing excellent jobs protecting the safety of children,” said a person who lives on one of the bypass routes.

Caryville Chief of Police Freddie Stagnolia has some tips to keep in mind. The chief urges drivers to give themselves extra time when heading to work and have patience when returning from work. “If you use a secondary route be mindful of speed limits in those residential areas where we have children walking to school and waiting for school buses,” said Chief Stagnolia.

This phase of the Cove Lake Bridges repair project funnels traffic into the inside lane in each direction.

“We have several schools and Cove Lake State Park along with the Cumberland Trail in those areas where people walk coming and going. Also, please be mindful at all intersections,” said Stagnolia.

Work on I-75 at the Clinch River Bridges continues. (PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK NAGI WITH TDOT)

A bit south of Rocky Top/Lake City, I-75 is down to one lane in each direction at Mile Marker 126 in Anderson County. “Zipper merge,” or “late merge” is helping to reduce backups, according to Mark Nagi, Regional Communications Officer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation – Region 1. “Lane closures are in place 24/7 through Thursday, May 23,” said Nagi.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/15/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)