Interstate 275: Bridge over Elm Street/Bernard Avenue
Knox County
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will replace the Interstate 275 bridge over Elm Street/Bernard Avenue in Knox County. The project will replace the current two-span bridge with a single span concrete box beam bridge using Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques. Other improvements include restriping of Elm Street and Bernard Avenue, increasing the vertical clearance under the bridge to fifteen feet, three inches (15'3"), and improving the cross slopes on I-275. As part of this project, the bike and pedestrian paths on Bernard Avenue will be improved.
Current Status: Elm Street and Bernard Avenue will be closed during construction.
Estimated construction start: October 15, 2024
Estimated completion*: November 15, 2025
Funding Type: 90% federally funded and 10% state funded.

Traffic Impacts
Elm Street and Bernard Avenue will be closed during construction.
3 weekend closures on I-275 are anticipated in Summer 2025. Current plans call for traffic to be detoured onto I-40 and I-640.

History and Background
The existing structure was built in 1954 as a four-span concrete tee beam bridge and widened in 1984 on each side using precast boxes and precast deck panels. The structure has an out-to-out width of one hundred and forty-four feet (144’) and an overall structure length of approximately one hundred thirty-four feet (134’). The vertical clearance is approximately fourteen feet six inches (14’6”) measured from the inside lane of eastbound Elm Street/Bernard Avenue. In 2014, I-275 was restriped and resurfaced with an open-graded friction coarse (OGFC) mix.
This project will employ Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, including innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods. ABC works in a safe and cost-effective manner to reduce the onsite construction time that occurs when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. ABC improves site constructability, total project delivery time and work-zone safety for the traveling public.
This project will also be delivered via Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC), an alternative delivery contracting method that involves a contractor in the design and construction phases of the project. The intent is to form a partnership including TDOT, the designer, and the contractor. The goals of this partnership are to mitigate risk, improve the construction schedule, streamline the design process, and develop a project that adheres to the budget.

Project Imagery & Visuals
Project Contacts
Mark Nagi
TDOT Region 1 Regional Communications Officer (media)
Email: Mark.Nagi@tn.gov
Phone: 865-594-0161
Jason Sholtz, PE
TDOT Region 1 Alternative Delivery
Email: Jason.Sholtz@tn.gov
Amber Warren
TDOT Region 1 Alternative Delivery
Email: Amber.Warren@tn.gov
*Subject to change