Historical evolution of Cedar Bluff Road at its intersection with Executive Park Drive and Park West Boulevard : A case study

Since the early 1960's Knoxville and Knox County have experienced major changes in their physical form. This is true especially in the vicinity of the I-40/Cedar Bluff Road interchange where massive development started to take place two decades ago. Two factors were primarily responsible for this change: (1) the construction of the Interstate highway through and around Knoxville, and (2) the suburbanization of Knoxville and, particularly, west Knox County.

To assess the way in which the development of the area occurred, public documents and official records were examined. In addition, interviews with the developers involved, and traffic engineering specialists were conducted in order to collect information regarding the key decision makers involved in the development of the area.

Based upon this research, the study reveals that as the area grew and traffic volumes increased, the intersections of Executive Park Drive and Park West Boulevard with Cedar Bluff Road became a focus of traffic problems due to their inadequate geometric configuration. The study also examines how decisions about the area were made. Specifically, it addresses the roles played by the developers, the staff of the Knoxville/Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission and members of the Knox County Board of Commissioners who were ultimately responsible for the changes which occurred.