State Route 35 (US 321, Newport Bypass)
Cocke County
State Route 35 (US 321) is a major corridor from Greenville to Maryville. As it stands now, travelers driving through Newport via SR 35 must drive through downtown Newport. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is currently constructing the Newport Bypass, a safer, more efficient route for SR 35 to pass through Newport, bypassing downtown traffic.
The Newport Bypass will be 4.75 miles of entirely new alignment. This project consists of the grading, drainage, construction of four concrete Bulb-Tee beam bridges, signals and paving on SR 35 from SR 9 to Saint Tide Hollow Road. Interference with daily traffic should be minimal since nearly all the project is new alignment. The project includes the construction of four bridges. Two bridges are located along the five-lane section of improvement, the first bridge crossing Stinking Creek and the second bridge crossing Lisega Boulevard, Norfolk Southern Railroad, and the Pigeon River. The other two bridges are located along the interim two-lane section, one crossing the French Broad River Flood Channel and the other crossing the French Broad River.
Current Status: March 8, 2024
Summers Taylor is onsite constructing bridge 2. Blalock is working on Bridge 1 at Bent 3. Bridge 4 deck has been poured and contractor is pouring parapets. Contractor has completed the tie-in at the end of project. This was opened to traffic in February 2024. EPSC
devices are continuing to be maintained.
Construction start: Spring 2022
Estimated completion*: Fall 2025
History and Background
The new alignment will begin 250 feet east of SR 9’s intersection with Thinwood Drive in Newport. The proposed improvement will consist of four twelve-foot travel lanes, two in each direction, with a twelve-foot center turn lane and twelve-foot shoulders (ten feet paved). The project will extend to the east from the intersection of State Route 9 (US 70) to Rankin Road, approximately 2.4 miles. From Rankin Road to the project terminus, just south of Saint Tide Hollow Road, approximately 2.3 miles, the improvement will include two twelve-foot travel lanes, one in each direction, with twelve-foot shoulders (ten feet paved). If traffic demand increases for this section, TDOT has purchased enough ROW to be able to construct additional lanes in the future when traffic warrants.
The project also includes two new proposed signal installations at the intersections of proposed SR 35 and SR 9 (US 70) and at the intersection of proposed SR 35 and SR 32 (US 25E).
There are no sidewalks or ADA ramps on the project.
Project Imagery & Visuals
Key Project Milestones
March 31, 2023
Summers Taylor is onsite constructing bridge 2. Blalock is onsite constructing bridge 3 and bridge 4. Water, sewer, fiber, and power are being installed. Blalock has cleared and grubbed at the end of job near the EOP tie in.
February 27, 2023
The contractor, Summers-Taylor, is onsite constructing bridge 2. Blalock is onsite constructing bridge 3 and bridge 4. Road and drainage excavation is underway at the largest cut section on the project. Water, sewer, fiber, and power are being installed.
November 28, 2022
GSR Fill is ongoing at Station 180. Summers Taylor is onsite constructing bridge 2, bents 4 and 5. Blalock is onsite constructing bridge 3, bent 2. Road and drainage excavation is underway at the largest cut section on the project. Newport Utilities water, sewer, and power are being installed.
September 26, 2022
Planned undercutting is ongoing throughout the project. Summers Taylor is onsite constructing bridge 2, bent 5. Blalock is onsite constructing bridge 3, bent 1. Road and Drainage excavation is underway at the largest cut section on the project. Newport Utilities waterlines are being installed.
August 28, 2022
EPSC measures are being installed throughout the project. The box culvert at Station 229+50 has nearly been completed. Planned undercutting is ongoing throughout the project. Summers Taylor is onsite constructing bridge 2, bent 5. Blalock will begin to construct bridge 3’s abutment and bent 1 this month.
July 28, 2022
EPSC measures are being installed throughout the project. Box Culverts at Station 186+40 are being built. The box culvert at Station 229+50 is being prepared to be built. Planned undercutting is ongoing throughout the project. Simpson is onsite building bridge 2 bent 5. Blalock will begin to construct bridge 3’s abutment and bent 1 this month.
July 1, 2022
EPSC measures are being installed throughout the project. Box Culverts at Station 186+40 are being built. The box culvert at Station 229+50 is being prepared to be built. The box culvert at Station 229+66 is being prepared to be built. Planned undercutting is ongoing throughout the project. Simpson is onsite preparing to build bridge 2. GSR is being installed at the undercut from Station 237+70 to 242+20.
May 31, 2022
EPSC measures are being installed throughout the project. Box culverts at Station 186+40 are being built. The box culvert at Station 229+50 is being prepared to be built. Planned undercutting is ongoing throughout the project. Simpson is onsite preparing to build bridge 2.
April 27, 2022
Clearing and grubbing operations are continuing between Rankin Road and Woodson Road. EPSC measures are being installed throughout the project. Stream 5 have been diverted and the Box culverts at 186+40 will be constructed soon.
April 4, 2022
Clearing and grubbing operations have begun near Woodson Road. EPSC measures are being installed throughout the project. Advanced warning signs have all been installed throughout the project.
Project Contacts
Mark Nagi (Media Contact)
TDOT Region 1 Community Relations Officer
Mark.Nagi@tn.gov
865-594-0161