KTA approves Route 1 and Route 16 revisions after Title VI review

The KTA board voted to approve staff recommendations to revise Route 1, the Downtown Connector, and Route 16, Cedar Bluff/Middlebrook, following staff presentations and a Title VI equity analysis. Staff said the Route 1 revision meets the Federal Transit Administration threshold for a major service change and increases access for minority and low‑income populations.

Clay Mercer, transit planner for CAT, described the Route 1 revision as an outbound reroute that will serve Covenant Health Park (the Smokies ballpark) and Old City: outbound from Gay Street, right onto Summit Hill Drive, left onto Patton Street into Willow Avenue, left onto Central Street, right onto Summit Hill Drive and back to Gay Street. Mercer said, “This will maintain 15 minute service to the stadium,” and that two new stops would be added…