The Knoxville Transportation Authority on a unanimous voice vote approved three minor route modifications set to take effect June 2, changing portions of Routes 11, 15 and 34 to address operator safety and better serve senior and residential areas.

The changes were presented by CAT planning staff. Clay Mercer, planner at CAT, said the Route 11 revision responds to requests from a mall general manager and operational safety concerns; the new outbound alignment will enter West Town Mall via the Belk entrance, circle to serve the Belk-area stop and exit back to Gleeson Drive. Mercer said the revision adds four new Route 11 stops: Morel Road southbound at Gleeson Drive; Gleeson Drive westbound at West Town Mall (Belk entrance); Gleeson Drive eastbound midblock before Morel Road; and Morel Road northbound midblock before Kingston Pike.

For Route 15, staff said the change is driven by tight turns at the Washington Pike and Broadway intersection and a request to serve Coker Avenue. The proposed outbound routing uses Coker and Nadine Street to access Washington Pike. Staff said three northbound/southbound stops at Broadway and Washington Pike would be removed and three stops added at Coker Avenue eastbound after Broadway, Nadine Street northbound at Washington Pike, and Coker Avenue westbound at Broadway.

Staff described the Route 34 revision as a response to requests from the senior community near the Five Points/Walter P. area. The outbound alignment will turn onto Bethel, then Taylor Holmes Road and Kenner, with two new stops added (Bethel Avenue westbound at McConnell Street; McConnell Street southbound at Bethel Avenue) and one stop moved from Kenner Avenue to Taylor Holmes Road.

Staff emphasized these were minor modifications and did not meet the threshold for a Title VI or other public-hearing process. "These are minor modifications; they do not meet the definition of a major route change. Therefore, we do not need a public hearing," a CAT planner told the board.

Commissioners asked operational questions about stop access and sheltering at the mall and about safety at the Broadway/Washington Pike turn. Staff said stop-improvement work is planned for the Morrill Road southbound stop at West Town Mall and for the Gleeson Drive westbound stop to improve access from the parking lot.

A motion to approve the three June 2 changes was made and seconded; the commission recorded no opposing votes and the measure passed.

The board will publish maps and schedule information and staff said signage and website notices will be placed before the changes take effect. Staff also noted they are continuing work on additional, larger revisions (Route 1 downtown connector and Route 16) that will be the subject of a formal presentation and public hearing at a later meeting.