After nearly five years of planning, construction will begin Monday on the Highway 14 Road Diet. Construction will begin on the southside of Knoxville near the airport and Weiler Drive and could cause a few delays for commuters entering Knoxville, according to Knoxville City Manager Aaron Adams. Adams says the work south of town will be more extensive as the roadway will be widened as well as a left turn lane installed at Weiler Drive.

Adams says the construction south of town should also take longer than the rest of the work throughout Knoxville. Highway 14 will be reduced to three lanes starting at the south side of Knoxville and will feature one southbound lane, one northbound lane and a middle turn lane as well as wider shoulders. The road diet is expected to improve the flow of traffic on Highway 14 through Knoxville. Adams says the construction should last through the majority of the summer with the contractors having 140 working days to complete the project.To hear the complete interview with Adams, tune in today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville.