TDOT Breaks Ground On SR 28 Project In Clarkrange

The Tennessee Department of Transportation broke ground on the highly-anticipated State Route 28 improvement project on Friday morning.

TDOT Deputy Commissioner Paul Degges was joined by state and local officials to celebrate the project’s start. He said that the 3.3-mile project will include widening South York Highway and constructing of a new 1,425-foot bridge over Clear Creek.

“This project is a direct result of that grassroots effort made by the mayors to talk to a new governor,” Degges said.  “To talk to their congressional and state delegations saying ‘We need improved access.'”

Degges said that one of the major advocates for the project was Congressman John Rose. He said that before Rose was even seated, he had reached out to the department about the need for this project.

“My first cousin Rod Williams and I both grew up with a grandfather Guy Williams here that lived over in the Allardt community and he was a real advocate for what’s happening today,” Rose said. “There’s an old saying, ‘good things come to those who wait.’ So sometimes we don’t like the waiting part of that, but today is a day that we get ”

Degges said that once completed, this project will greatly improve roadway conditions for the nearly 7,000 vehicles that travel this route daily. He said it will also provide the infrastructure to support additional economic growth in the area.

Degges said that they are hoping to see the project completed by August 2026.