The University of Tennessee Space Institute will begin a reconstruction project on the causeway on UTSI Road next week to repair erosion damage to the bank under the causeway. Beginning Monday, May 5, the causeway will have to be closed for a period of up to six weeks to complete crucial repairs. The project will stabilize the edge of the asphalt and prevent further erosion of the bank. “If left untended, the erosion could lead to major roadway damage, so taking action at this stage and preventing further ground loss is of the utmost importance,” said UTSI Director of Facilities and Operations Wes McMinn.

Traveling from Estill Springs on UTSI Road, the road will be blocked just after it intersects with Elk River Dam Road. On the opposite side of the causeway, the road will be blocked just after one of the roads connecting to the campus. In addition, Elk River Dam Road will be closed to the public at the dam. Detour signs will be placed at strategic points along all connecting roads. Many people, who take this route to work at AEDC and UTSI, will have to go through Tullahoma until the repairs are complete.

AVISCO, Inc., the Oak Ridge-based contractor who will perform the causeway repairs, has been working to repair shoreline erosion behind the student center and in other areas around campus for the past several weeks. The causeway repairs will complete an overall shoreline repair project at UTSI. The repairs to the causeway may take longer than six weeks, but the contractor believes they can complete the portion of the project that requires the road to be blocked in six weeks or less.

CAUSEWAY ON UTSI ROAD TO BE CLOSED FOR REPAIRS—The map above shows where UTSI Road will be closed off with barricades for needed repairs to the causeway. Note that UTSI Road is called Robert W. Kamm Road as it crosses the campus and then continues as UTSI Road after turning toward Arnold AFB. Many, who take this route to work at AEDC and UTSI, will have to go through Tullahoma until the repairs are complete. The causeway reconstruction project will begin on May 5 and the road will be closed for up to six weeks to complete the crucial repairs.
–Map provided by UTSI

The University of Tennessee Space Institute is about to begin a reconstruction project on the UTSI Road causeway to repair erosion damage to the bank under the causeway. The project will stabilize the edge of the asphalt and prevent further erosion of the bank. Set to start on Monday, the road will be closed for up to six weeks to complete the crucial repairs.

–UTSI Photos by Wes McMinn