3-month project to affect traffic on University Parkway near West Walnut

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Lane closures are coming to University Parkway for about three months as part of Johnson City’s West Walnut Corridor Redevelopment Plan.

According to the city, contractors with Johnson City Water and Sewer Services and Public Works will close lanes on University Parkway. The closures will be between West State of Franklin Road and West Pine Street starting May 19.

While the lane closures are in place, all traffic will be funneled into one lane for each direction in the construction area. Johnson City Engineer Wallace McCulloch said drivers should use caution.

“We’re reducing it to two lanes, congestion is going to be an issue out there,” McCulloch said. “We would urge people to find alternate routes if they can.”

Mojo Skateboard Shop Owner Joey Booth has a birds-eye view to the construction. He said that he’s excited about the work that’s going on.

“The access is going to be the exact same as it’s always been,” Booth said.

The city stated in a news release that the construction would be completed in phases. The first phase will block access to University Parkway from the Tree Streets side of the road at West Walnut, Lynn and West Maple Streets.

Phase one is expected to last roughly six to eight weeks.

UniversityParkway_TrafficPatternChanges_PhasesMaps by Murry Lee on Scribd

Phase two will see access to University Parkway from those streets reopened but will close access from the ETSU side of the street at Lynn and Maple Streets. The second phase is anticipated to last four weeks.

McCulloch said the project will be done in two phases because of the amount of work that needs to be complete.

“We have to work on getting a sewer and waterline across the road and replace curb and gutter on both sides of the road,” McCulloch said.

Throughout the project, the west side of West Walnut Street will stay closed.

The city warned that extra lane closures and traffic disruptions are likely, and drivers and pedestrians should look for other routes around the area since congestion will occur.

Depending on the weather, the city expects the project to take roughly three months to complete.

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