KNOXVILLE - The $6.5 million replacement of two structurally deficient Jackson Avenue ramps connecting to Gay Street in the Old City is expected to begin early next month.

Downtown Coordinator Rick Emmett will direct a public meeting and Q&A on Monday, Aug. 5, intended to provide the most up-to-date information to Old City stakeholders.

The total ramp replacement project cost is $10.1 million. Earlier costs included design work and right-of-way acquisition.

The 100-year-old ramps will be demolished and replaced, and the red cobblestone-like bricks will be reused as part of the new construction. The new ramps, which will closely resemble the historic ramps, are expected to reopen in about a year.

While the ramps are being replaced, there will be no through traffic on that section of Jackson Avenue between Broadway and Central Street. Access will be maintained to area businesses and to the City’s parking lot on West Jackson Avenue. (Motorists wishing to park in the lot will need to access it by turning onto West Jackson from Broadway.)

Traffic on Gay Street overhead will not be affected.

East-west pedestrian access through the construction zone on Jackson Avenue will be maintained during the project. A brightly-colored metal staircase at the southern end of the Gay Street Viaduct will provide pedestrian access between Gay Street and Jackson.

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, 2019 at Jackson Terminal, 213 W. Jackson Ave.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend the public meeting should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at scook@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact Title VI Coordinator Tatia M. Harris at 865-215-2831.