The City of Alcoa Public Works and Engineering Department announced that work is scheduled to begin Monday, April 5, 2010 on the Bessemer Street diverging diamond road intersection improvements project. In preparation for construction, crews will first place sediment and erosion control barriers along the work area.

When completed the project will improve and re-align Middlesettlements Road and Bessemer Street. The construction will begin at Hunters Crossing Drive, extending to McCammon Avenue. The diverging diamond geometry design will maximize the efficiency of the available three lanes under the existing US 129 Bypass Bridge. With the design of a diverging diamond interchange, traffic will crisscross over to the left side of the roadway between the proposed traffic signals located at the interchange ramps. Traffic would be separated by concrete barriers and screening through this location under the existing US 129 Bypass Bridge.

This type of interchange eliminates several conflicting vehicle movements, particularly the left turns onto the ramps, greatly improving traffic flow without the need to construct costly improvements to the existing US 129 Bypass Bridge. The project will increase the two-lane roadway to a five-lane section with two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction and a 12-foot two-way left turn center lane.

The project is scheduled for completion by mid-November 2010. Motorists traveling through the area may want to choose an alternate route around the work area or allow a few extra minutes to reach their destination. Drivers should be prepared for shifting temporary lane configurations for the duration of this construction project. Motorists are reminded to exercise caution in the work area.