Special Projects
KUB regularly communicates with customers and the community about major utility projects through news releases, construction letters to residents, and signs in the construction area. When there is particular interest about a project in an area, we may also have public meetings.
This page offers additional information, such as fact sheets, news releases, or maps, for some long-term major projects that may be of interest to the community. If you have questions or would like to make comments on a project, you can e-mail comm@kub.org or call 524-2911.
Lyons View Pike Multiple Utility Project
This multiple utility project will upgrade the natural gas, water, and wastewater mains along a section of Lyons View Pike as part of KUB’s ongoing Century II and PACE 10 infrastructure improvement programs. To facilitate a safe work zone and ensure timely completion of this challenging project, the entire 1.5-mile construction zone along Lyons View Pike will be closed to through traffic for the duration of work. Uniformed officers will be stationed around the clock, seven days a week, at barricades located on each end of the project. See the attached Information Sheet and Map for more details.
Project Start Date: April 15, 2013
Project Completion Date: November 2013 (prior to Thanksgiving holiday)
View Current Construction Progress Map
Information Sheet and Map
The Lyons View Pike Project blog
Lyons View Multiple Utility Project Update
May 15, 2013 Update - Restoration work on Construction Zone 1 is complete. The east end of Lyons View Pike between Kingston Pike and the intersections of Arrowhead Trail and Colony Way has been re-opened. However, the remainder of Lyons View Pike remains closed to through traffic west of Colony Way
Construction work is underway within Zone 2. The construction progress map has been updated.
May 9, 2013 Update - Installation of the water and natural gas mains is nearing completion in Construction Zone 1 (east end of project). Individual water and natural gas service lines are being connected to the newly installed mains, and the roadway is being restored. Weather permitting, KUB anticipates re-opening the east end of Lyons View Pike to Colony Way the week of May 13. At that time, the Arrowhead Trail and Colony Way intersections with Lyons View Pike will also be opened. However, Lyons View Pike will remain closed to through traffic west of the intersection of Lyons View Pike and Colony Way. KUB will update the construction progress map and issue a notice prior to this section re-opening.
As Zone 1 work is wrapping up, Blalock has begun preliminary work within Construction Zone 2. Zone 2 will be approximately 2,000 feet in length, extending from just west of Colony Way all the way to Cherokee Country Club. Zone 2 will only involve the installation of sewer and natural gas mains. The existing 12" water line in Zone 2 was installed in 1995 and does not need to be replaced at this time. As a result, KUB anticipates Zone 2 construction will proceed quickly, and lengthening the work zone will help expedite the work. Extending Zone 2 also allows the contractor to begin the installation of sewer, water, and gas lines beneath the golf cart tunnel at Cherokee Country Club.
As work progresses within Zone 2, access for individual property owners will depend on where their driveway is in relation to the immediate trench work construction. Generally, if the active trench work is east of a driveway, the resident's access will continue to be from the west. Once the active trench work moves west of a driveway, their access should shift to the east. Since the utility work can progress fairly quickly and field conditions change rapidly at times, inspection personnel and field representatives will work closely with individual property owners to communicate and coordinate this information.
Lyons View Pike remains closed to through traffic for the remainder of the project. Harley Drive remains barricaded at the Lyons View Pike intersection for the duration of this project. Cherokee Country Club access continues to be from the west end (Northshore Drive). Completion of the project is scheduled for November 2013, prior to Thanksgiving.
Road Milling Equipment
Natural Gas Main Installation in Zone 1
Sewer Main Installation in Zone 1
April 30, 2013 Update – KUB and contractor Charles Blalock and Sons continued work this past week on the multiple utility construction project along Lyons View Pike. Installation of the eight-inch sewer force main has been completed in Construction Zone 1 (east end of project). Blalock and Sons, and subcontractor Pipeline Construction, have begun excavation and installation of water and natural gas mains in Construction Zone 1 this week. Pipeline Construction successfully completed a test bore underneath the tunnel connecting the Cherokee Country Club parking lot and golf course on April 29. No rock was encountered beneath the tunnel during this test bore, which means that the contractor should be able to install pipelines via a bore method, thereby minimizing excavation and expediting work in that area. Lyons View Pike remains closed to through traffic for the remainder of the project. Completion is scheduled for November 2013, prior to Thanksgiving. Additionally, the Arrowhead Trail and Colony Way intersections with Lyons View Pike remain barricaded while construction is completed on the east end in Construction Zone 1. Harley Drive will remain barricaded at the Lyons View Pike intersection for the duration of this project. All local traffic entering and exiting Lyons View Pike must continue to do so from the west end, at the Northshore Drive intersection.
April 22, 2013 Update – KUB and contractor Charles Blalock and Sons are one week into the multiple utility construction project along Lyons View Pike. The traffic control plan was implemented as of April 15, 2013, and Lyons View Pike will remain closed to through traffic for the remainder of the project. Completion is scheduled for November 2013, prior to Thanksgiving. Additionally, the Arrowhead Trail and Colony Way intersections with Lyons View Pike remain barricaded while construction is completed on the east end of the work zone. Harley Drive will remain barricaded at the Lyons View Pike intersection for the duration of this project. All local traffic entering and exiting Lyons View Pike must do so from the west end, at the Northshore Drive intersection.
In addition to implementing the traffic control plan and barricades, Charles Blalock and Sons installed sediment and erosion control devices, completed the materials staging area across from Oak Grove Lane, and began excavation and installation of the sewer force main. Work on the water, and possibly natural gas lines, will begin within the next week.
April 15, 2013 Update - KUB and its contractor, Charles Blalock and Sons, have started construction on the east end of Lyons View Pike, near the Kingston Pike intersection. Due to excavation in the roadway, and the ongoing presence of equipment, only local traffic will be permitted to travel in the construction zone. All local traffic entering and exiting Lyons View Pike must do so from the west end, at the Northshore Drive intersection. As a reminder, the entire construction zone limits on a 1.5 mile section of Lyons View Pike will remain closed to through traffic as the natural gas, water, and wastewater mains are upgraded in along this stretch of roadway. The closure of this section of Lyons View Pike will remain in effect for the duration of the project, which KUB anticipates will be completed in November 2013, prior to Thanksgiving. Lyons View Pike News Release April 15, 2013
April 10, 2013 Update - As a reminder, KUB and its contractor, Charles Blalock and Sons, will close the entire construction zone limits on a 1.5 mile section of Lyons View Pike to through traffic starting at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 15, 2013, to coincide with the start of construction on a project to upgrade the natural gas, water, and wastewater mains in the area. The closure of this section of Lyons View Pike will remain in effect for the duration of the project, which KUB anticipates will be completed in November 2013, prior to Thanksgiving. Lyons View Pike News Release April 10, 2013
April 1, 2013 Update - In preparation for the April 15 start date of the multiple utility construction project along Lyons View Pike, KUB has installed electronic message boards at both the east and west ends of the construction zone to familiarize commuters with the pending road closure and project dates. Lyons View Pike News Release April 1, 2013
March 22, 2013 Update - Following a second public meeting on March 21, KUB and its contractor, Charles Blalock and Sons, are currently mobilizing and finalizing preparations to begin construction on the Lyons View Pike multiple utility upgrade project in mid-April. The closure of Lyons View Pike to through traffic will coincide with the start of construction, and will remain in effect until the scheduled project completion date in November 2013.
February 7, 2013 Update - The input from the public meeting on January 24 and the questionnaires showed that most customers preferred an extended work week and hours to allow quicker project completion. Some customers were interested in sharing the cost for underground electric; and others said they might be interested, depending on the cost. Underground electric service will not proceed unless customers decide to fund it.
Project Update and Map
Based on that input, KUB plans to ask contractors to bid on the Lyons View Pike construction project with instructions to:
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Provide firm bids for underground electric.
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Base bids on working 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week, weather permitting.
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Meet the construction time frame of April through fall of 2013.
After selecting a contractor, KUB will follow up with residents who were interested in underground electric service to determine whether to move forward. KUB will also provide additional information about the start of construction.
Have questions? Call the Lyons View Pike project hotline at 558-2330.
Downtown Electric Vault Work - May 20 through early July 2013
Beginning on Monday, May 20, and lasting through early July 2013 (weather permitting), KUB will upgrade utility service with a project to renovate two electric transformer vaults in the downtown area.
This work will begin at the vault located between the Market Square stage and Wall Avenue. Crews will install a new structural roof and apply a new floor coating before replacing the existing equipment and conductors inside the vault. Wall Avenue will remain open to traffic, with intermittent temporary closures as vehicles and equipment move in and out of the work zone. Additionally, a 30’ x 30’ chainlink fence will be installed around the vault site, and the sidewalk near the vault area will be closed to pedestrians to allow parking space for construction vehicles and equipment during working hours. Access will be maintained for event set up on the stage. Signs will be in place throughout the area to divert pedestrian traffic around the work zone.
Crews will also complete work on the vault located at 604 S. Gay Street, directly in front of the Tennessee Theatre during this period. A new structural support system will be installed in this vault with minimal disruption to the existing sidewalk. Due to the limited width of the sidewalk in this area, a pedestrian detour may be required. Additionally, the northbound curbside lane of S. Gay Street will be closed intermittently in this area to allow parking for construction vehicles and equipment.
Crews will work 10-hour days starting at 8 a.m. each day, Monday through Thursday. No work will be planned on Fridays or weekends, unless conditions warrant. All work will be coordinated to avoid conflicts with any special events. There will be no electric service interruptions required in association with this work. Additionally, access will remain open to all businesses in the area. Both work areas will be secured at night.
KUB Reopens Section of Western Avenue with Alternating Lanes
KUB and its contractor, S.J. Louis, have reopened the section of Western Avenue between the Keith Avenue intersection and Richmond Avenue as of May 18, 2013.
While the roadway has been reopened, construction activity will continue in the area through this week. This work will require a reduction in traffic flow to one alternating lane in each direction daily from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. starting on Saturday, May 18, and lasting through Thursday, May 23. All lanes are expected to be reopened for the morning and evening commutes, as well as overnight, during this period.
Appropriate traffic control measures, including flagmen and signage, will be in place to alert motorists to the lane reduction. Due to the ongoing presence of equipment and workers, motorists are advised to proceed with extreme caution through the construction zone.
This work and road closure has been part of an ongoing PACE 10 wastewater collection system improvement construction project in the area. PACE 10 is KUB’s accelerated 10-year wastewater improvement program to aggressively attack the problem of sewer overflows and to provide a wastewater system that can better serve current and future customers.
Customers can call 524-2911 for more information about this project.
