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TPO board approves $10 million in local STBG funds to advance Pellissippi Parkway right-of-way
Summary
The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization Executive Board approved a $10 million Local Surface Transportation Block Grant (L‑STBG) allocation to advance right‑of‑way acquisition for the Pellissippi Parkway extension as part of a Statewide Partnership Program application.
The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization Executive Board voted Sept. 24 to allocate $10 million in L‑STBG funds to advance right‑of‑way acquisition for the Pellissippi Parkway extension under the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Statewide Partnership Program (SPP).
Why it matters: The funds are intended to accelerate right‑of‑way acquisition ahead of the TDOT 10‑year plan schedule, protecting corridor land and helping preserve project feasibility as development increases along the corridor.
Board presentation and partners: Craig (TPO staff) described the project history and the request to advance the right‑of‑way schedule into fiscal 2026; the board packet shows the right‑of‑way phase increasing from roughly $30 million to a bit over $40 million. Craig said the $10 million request represents TPO‑derived L‑STBG revenue dedicated toward right‑of‑way.
Local cooperation and offsets: Craig explained two projects in Blount County were removed from the regional program — Morganton Road (about $9 million) and a Sevierville Road hybrid project (about $10 million) — freeing more than $19 million in L‑STBG budget that substantially offsets the Pellissippi Parkway allocation. After the requested allocation, staff reported an L‑STBG reserve balance of about $12 million in the current TIP program.
Local and TDOT remarks: Bruce Applegate, city manager for Alcoa, spoke for the local partners (Alcoa, Maryville, and Blount County), saying partners aim to acquire land now to avoid much higher costs or loss of project feasibility in later years as area development accelerates. A TDOT staff presenter told the board TDOT has surveyed roughly 110 tracts affected by the project, is performing geotechnical investigations and expects roughly three years of right‑of‑way acquisitions; construction was referenced in the TDOT 10‑year plan in the mid‑2030s (the presenter cited 2036).
Financial context and timing: Craig described the request as about 45% of the current projected L‑STBG reserve and said the request can be processed as a TIP modification; technical committee recommended approval. Craig and staff noted the current TIP is near the end of its cycle and the agency is transitioning to the 2026–29 TIP.
Vote: A board member moved and another seconded the allocation; the board approved the $10 million L‑STBG allocation by voice vote and the chair declared the motion carried.
Ending: Staff said the modification can be processed administratively and that the allocation will be included in the draft TIP being presented for public comment and later final action.
