Highway 111 Safety Project Misses October 31 Completion Date

Safety improvement work continues on Highway 111 in Overton County after crews missed the October 31 completion date.

TDOT Community Relations Coordinator Jennifer Flynn said a number of factors delayed the $2.2 million project.

“Because of some issues with the plans, and a scheduling conflict with the contractor, I’m sorry to say that the project won’t be complete for at least another sour to six weeks,” Flynn said. “We hope to have it in four, but it could go as long as six weeks because the weather is so unpredictable this time of year.”

Rogers Group began work to install a J-turn at the Highway 111 and Highway 293 intersection in July. Flynn said the new traffic pattern will make it safer and easier for drivers turning left onto 111 from Highway 293.

“It’s dangerous at some of these intersections to turn left to cross two-lanes of sometimes very fast-moving traffic,” Flynn said. “If you want to go left onto 111 from State Route 293, you will turn to the right and then use the J-turn lane to turn around. It kind of limits your exposure and makes it a lot safer for people to travel through the area.”

Flynn said work will resume at the intersection beginning Monday.