Congressman Duncan Tours Knoxville SmartFIX Project with U.S. Secretary of Transportation

Contact:  Don Walker

202-225-5435

March 30, 2007

KNOXVILLE, TN -  Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) and United States Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters toured the I-40 SmartFIX project to highlight the need to help ease congestion and improve the lives of local citizens.

"East Tennessee is one of the most popular places to move to in the Country.  I believe it is important that we discuss how to handle this growth in a way that prevents congestion and preserves our quality of life," said Congressman Duncan.

After touring the Knoxville SmartFIX project, Secretary Peters said, "When the I-40 project is complete, it will deliver to Knoxville's drivers freedom from gridlock, freedom to drive safer roads, and freedom to enjoy culture and commerce downtown."

The event followed a quality growth conference where both officials spoke on the importance of planning for economic growth while reducing congestion. 

SmartFIX is an accelerated construction process used by TDOT to speed up the construction project that will add one additional lane in each direction on I-40 in downtown Knoxville.

Congressman Duncan, who is the Ranking Member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, noted, "Congestion costs the average traveler who drives during peak periods $1,160 a year.  This project will help reduce delays and costs for anyone who drives through downtown."

Secretary Peters said, "We're committed to working with leaders like Congressman Duncan and other Tennessee officials to meet Knoxville's transportation needs  to find ways to help curb the congestion that is complicating your lives and to help you recapture a little bit of that freedom the transportation should provide all Americans."