The Roane County Commission is scheduled to meet next Monday evening, March 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the courthouse in Kingston. One key item on the agenda is a joint resolution, supported by county officials and city leaders across Roane County, urging the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to address significant safety concerns along Interstate 40 and the state roads that connect through the county.

Public safety data shows that over the past three years, these roads have averaged 1,703 incidents per year requiring emergency response—nearly five deployments per day. This places an unsustainable burden on local first responders and poses ongoing risks to the traveling public. The resolution notes that TDOT may not have adequately considered the impacts of ongoing construction projects, particularly those tied to Department of Energy facilities, and questions whether the roadways would remain viable for emergency traffic in a major incident.

Specific attention is given to bridge construction near the Melton Hill Dam entrance, which is causing major backups throughout the day and is expected to continue for around six months.

In the resolution, the county and cities are proposing several measures for TDOT to consider:

– Reduce the speed limit on I-40 through Roane County to 60 mph, coupled with increased enforcement.
– Install new overhead warning signage.
– Improve ramp integrity by ensuring better visibility, emergency access, and no parking on ramps.
– Prioritize expanding I-40 from two to three lanes in both directions across the entire 23-mile stretch through the county.
– Enhance exits and entrances by adding more acceleration and deceleration lanes.
– Restrict 18-wheeled commercial vehicles to the right lane only between mile markers 340 and 362.

This resolution has garnered support from local governments and is expected to pass unanimously at Monday’s meeting. Updates will follow as the issue progresses.