Special Opportunities

I-475 Orange Route/ Everett Road Interchange

Map 14: I-475/Everett Road Interchange with Proposed Land Use

This component of this plan is proposed to address the I-475 Orange Route Alternative. Although the project has been put on hold, if the Orange Route is constructed, it has the potential to guide land use patterns throughout West Knox County. Plans for the Orange Route call for interchanges throughout the Northwest Knox County Sector at Hardin Valley Road, Pellissippi Parkway and Oak Ridge Highway. An interchange at Oak Ridge Highway would improve access and enhance development opportunities in nearby industrial and business parks. An interchange at Pellissippi Parkway would provide improved access to Oak Ridge, I-40/75 and the Tennessee Technology Corridor from the Orange Route. An interchange at Hardin Valley Road would have the greatest land use impact since this area is characterized by agricultural and rural residential land uses. The Sector Plan proposes to retain these land uses; however, if the Orange Route were constructed, it would be difficult to hold off development pressure and the Sector Plan would most likely become outdated. In order to uphold the proposals of the Sector Plan and to retain the characteristics of the Hardin Valley area while not missing out on economic development opportunities created by the highway, the interchange should be shifted farther west to Everett Road. An interchange at Everett Road would be in close proximity to the I-40/75- Watt Road interchange where industrial and commercial land uses currently exist, and are proposed to be expanded by the Sector Plan.

The potential construction of the Orange Route interchange at this location would provide economic development opportunities in a more desirable location and would help retain the less intense uses and the aesthetic and environmental character of Hardin Valley. Everett Road could be improved to accommodate increased truck traffic.