Knoxville Plans $22M Redesign for Chapman Highway
The safety project adds bike paths and intersection improvements for residents traveling between Blount Ave and Woodlawn Pike.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The City of Knoxville is launching a $22.25 million redesign of a 0.75-mile stretch of Chapman Highway to improve safety. The project, which targets the area between Blount Avenue and Woodlawn Pike, includes new pedestrian and bicycle paths.
Why it matters
This redesign addresses significant safety concerns in a high-traffic corridor that sees over 26,000 vehicles daily. By adding infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, the city aims to reduce crashes and support growing development in South Knoxville.
The project corridor covers 0.75 miles and is supported by $17.8 million in federal funding alongside $4.45 million from the City of Knoxville. Design services for the work were authorized at a cost of $565,300.
The players
City of Knoxville
The municipal government overseeing infrastructure projects, public safety initiatives, and regional urban planning.
Knoxville City Council
The local governing body responsible for authorizing city contracts and managing public budget allocations.
The details
Engineers plan to overhaul the corridor with separated pedestrian and bicycle paths protected by a grassy buffer. The design also incorporates landscaped medians and intersection improvements to better manage the 26,000 daily vehicles. These changes are intended to slow traffic and provide safer crossings, particularly following a history of pedestrian-involved crashes in the area.
Timeline
Fall 2016 - Fall 2021: Traffic safety study period for the corridor.
April 2024: A fatal hit-and-run incident occurred at Chapman Highway and Fort Avenue.
April 2026: Knoxville City Council approved the professional design services contract.
November 5, 2026: Public open house at Graystone Presbyterian Church.
2028 - 2030: The projected timeframe for the start of construction.
The Home Front
This project aligns with a broader municipal trend of utilizing federal grants to modernize legacy highway corridors for multi-modal use. These upgrades are increasingly common as cities work to balance higher traffic volumes with the safety needs of dense, growing neighborhoods.
Property owners along the Chapman Highway corridor should prepare for upcoming construction activity and potential traffic disruptions beginning as early as 2028. Review the project plans at the upcoming public meeting to understand how the new pedestrian paths may impact property access and local traffic patterns.
The takeaway
This redesign represents a major investment in pedestrian safety for South Knoxville's busiest corridors. Residents should stay informed about the construction timeline to plan their future transit routes around the Blount Avenue and Woodlawn Pike area accordingly.
What happens next
Residents can attend a public open house regarding the design project on November 5, 2026, at the Graystone Presbyterian Church.
Further reading
Learn more about local infrastructure and upgrades in our guide to Home Renovation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WATE 6 On Your Side.
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