Progression Electric has been working on the signals and plan to transition the power from the old cabinet to the new cabinet the week of February 10. Old signals will be removed and soon after the lanes will be opened.
Previously 1/13/20
Contractors working for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) have reported that they are still waiting for delivery of the remaining components to complete the signalization of the U.S. 129 and U.S. 321 intersection. Until the signals are completed, the turning lanes will remain blocked since the existing signals do not have capability for dual left turning lanes.
The equipment delay is a nationwide issue and the traffic signal industry has experienced significant backlog due to increased production demands and the small number of manufacturers producing the equipment. Currently the lead time to order signal poles and their components is six to nine months or more. Progression Electric, the contractor for the project has now received most of the equipment but is still waiting on the brackets that hold the signal heads on the mast arms. Once these are received, it is expected to take about a week to complete the intersection.
The project began in November 2018 and was scheduled to be completed by July 2019. Improvements include dual, protected left turns on U.S. 321 westbound, an acceleration lane for safer merging onto U.S. 129 north, and widening of the U.S. 129 Bypass from four to six lanes from U.S. 321 to U.S. 411. City engineers speculate the project could be completed by the end of the month if all the parts are delivered within the next two weeks.
For more information, contact the TDOT Field Office in Maryville at 865-981-2368.