Pedestrian bridge to stadium finally gets funding approved.

[HooahVol]

Just announced:

The City of Knoxville has been awarded a $24.7 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help realize the South Knoxville Pedestrian Bridge.

This was the City’s third application for the grant to help support the pedestrian bridge project, a project born out of community input and the South Waterfront Vision Plan more than 15 years ago.

"We are so excited to have secured the next round of funding to make the South Knoxville Pedestrian Bridge a reality," said Mayor Indya Kincannon. "The federal RAISE grant, coupled with the $20 million from the state, will now propel this project to the next stage. I am grateful to the key partners who have committed to seeing this project through.

"RAISE grants are awarded for transportation and infrastructure projects that could have a profound community impact, and that’s exactly what this project will do by enhancing safety and connectivity."

Here are the architect drawings:

The city will be using this to push South Knoxville development. There is already a plan to put a park on the south side that could produce very nice tail gaiting similar to the Grove at Ole Miss. There will be a pedestrian walkway on the North side by Thompson Boling heading directly to Gate 10 and the South ramp. I expect there will a lot invested in parking both by the city and private industry. This is very exciting.

 

[Frivolous]

I used to walk across the old railroad bridge. This looks to be a bit safer.

 

[HooahVol]

I used to walk across the old railroad bridge. This looks to be a bit safer.

Whoa, you got some big brass balls to do that.

 

[TAF]

 

[TAF]

bridge arches MUST be ORANGE, though

 

[goldvol]

they have to incorporate the goalpost in the design somewhere

 

[HeavenUniversity]

Is/will there be game day parking lots for basketball and football games on the other side of the river? Will this be open for the 2026 season?

 

[HooahVol]

I am positive there will be parking but am unsure about when it will be complete.

 

[farmdogvol]

Will the railing be low enough so goal posts can be tossed off of it?

 

[BelleVol]

they have to incorporate the goalpost in the design somewhere

You mean the bridge must be wide enough for the goalposts to be transported over the bridge and dumped …like for when we beat Georgia or someone?

 

[jwells]

Is/will there be game day parking lots for basketball and football games on the other side of the river? Will this be open for the 2026 season?

Not sure what parking is planned to be added, but it seems like there's room over there in the industrial area for a garage. Parking on campus is so bad, that any addition will make life easier.

 

[jwells]

Is/will there be game day parking lots for basketball and football games on the other side of the river? Will this be open for the 2026 season?

The city's 2024 plan has a target date of 2028-30 for completion.

https://cdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_109478/File/Redevelopment/SouthWaterfront/April2004-PedBridge-ConnectivityAsCatalyst.pdf

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I used to walk across the old railroad bridge. This looks to be a bit safer.

Especially when a train is pushing you from the South.

 

[miggy4vols]

I used to walk across the old railroad bridge. This looks to be a bit safer.

Same here. The glory days

 

[GetEmVols]

bridge arches MUST be ORANGE, though

Instead of an Arch it just needs to be a Power T shaped bridge. Orange of course.

 

[Firebirdparts]

That'll be nice. Total boondoggle, but it'll be nice.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

You mean the bridge must be wide enough for the goalposts to be transported over the bridge and dumped …like for when we beat Georgia or someone?

Your joking, the bridge will not already be built by September 13.

 

[Chitlin&theDude]

This is awesome! Wanted this for years. Please put in an expansive green area/park that can accommodate tailgaters!

 

[iVolSoHard]

Idk, still skeptical

 

[VFL-82-JP]

they have to incorporate the goalpost in the design somewhere

Maybe a sign at the midpoint of the bridge with an arrow pointing straight down.

 

[StuckInBamaVol]

Short walk to watch Alabama fans jump in the river after we beat them the next 15 years in a row.

 

[bpalmer28]

I'd do the hydraulic analysis for free if they'd let me, just so I can tell my kids that I did it.

In all seriousness, I work with a great team of engineers, and I truly believe that we are the best in the business. It'd be an honor to work on this project, but I'm guessing the city already has an engineering firm in mind for the work.

 

[ptcarter]

I'd do the hydraulic analysis for free if they'd let me just so I can tell my kids that I did it.

My peeps. That's a very CIVIL thing to do.

By the way, I looked at the satellite image about what's across the river. Looks like a concrete plant. Could the city of Knoxville buy this land and put a big parking garage there? I usually park downtown in the State street garage. It's free on the weekends, fills up and a pretty good hoof to the stadium. I just can't see people using this bridge just to visit a concrete plant. They used to have a casket factory over there. Anybody know if that's still in business?

 

[HarderKnox59]

I used to walk across the old railroad bridge. This looks to be a bit safer.

Ditto but I was 13 at the time.

 

[Firebirdparts]

My peeps. That's a very CIVIL thing to do.

By the way, I looked at the satellite image about what's across the river. Looks like a concrete plant. Could the city of Knoxville buy this land and put a big parking garage there? I usually park downtown in the State street garage. It's free on the weekends, fills up and a pretty good hoof to the stadium. I just can't see people using this bridge just to visit a concrete plant. They used to have a casket factory over there. Anybody know if that's still in business?

Fabulousworld is already under construction over there. This was june: