LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Fencing in downtown La Follette went up Thursday to go along with the already placed barrels, barriers and the like in place in anticipation of the refurbishment work expected to begin on the Central Avenue Bridge.  With the fencing, frustrations for all concerned are on the increase.

Thursday’s east bound lane of traffic snaked through La Follette.

One of the big concerns going into the project for city leaders was what do if and when  I-75 gets channeled through La Follette for whatever the reason; a slide, major wreck or worse.  Routes that generally play key roles when an I-75 detour occurs have their own projects to deal with.

About three miles north of La Follette US25W is down to one lane for the better part of a mile.

Highway US25W, also designated as State Route 9, is down to one lane for the better part of a mile with a traffic light about three miles north of La Follette.  According to TDOT Spokesperson Mark Nagi, the project on Highway US25W is part of an emergency slide repair contract that includes five different locations in three different counties.  The expected completion date is late January.

Highway 116 will soon be down to one lane when construction begins.

Highway 116, between Caryville and Rocky Top, will soon be down to one lane at the Ridge Road turnoff.  It will also have a traffic light.  It is an emergency slide repair contract also.  June 30 is the expected completion date.

With the other roads into the county under construction, , Highway 63 offers somewhat of an option.  However, it’s not the sole solution, because there won’t be one. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/20/2019-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)