City builds ‘missing link’ sidewalk near school
May 4, 2022, 3:58 pm

KNOXVILLE -- The City has invested $791,441 to build a “missing link” sidewalk in North Knoxville that students will use to walk safely to and from Belle Morris Elementary School.

The sidewalk, with a curb and stormwater drainage infrastructure, runs roughly 2,000 linear feet on the north side of Coker Avenue between Nadine Street and Whittle Springs Road.

On Tuesday, May 3, Mayor Indya Kincannon, City Council member Lauren Rider, Belle Morris Principal Terry Lynn Hursey, North Knoxville residents and City Engineering staffers laced up their walking shoes and tested out the new sidewalk.

“This flat, wide, fully accessible walkway strategically connects two existing sidewalks,” Mayor Kincannon said. “It’s a key link that creates new mobility options to multiple destinations within the neighborhood. Most importantly, it creates a safe walking path for children to get to and from Belle Morris.”

Rider said families living on and near Coker are relieved to have the safe pedestrian route.

“This sidewalk is an example of the walkable routes neighbors want to safely route them to school, work, parks and shopping," Rider said. "I'm excited to see the community and its schools connected by this sidewalk."

Watch this video, produced by the City’s Communications Department, from the neighborhood walk.

City Engineering designed the project, which required some KUB gas line relocations and connections with homeowners’ driveways. The construction contractor was Whaley Construction.