South end: I-40 Length 4.8 km | North end: I-75 / I-640 / US 25W Constructed 1958 | |
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Existed: 1958 (as a part of I-75)
1982 (as I-275) – present | ||
Interstate 275 (I-275) is an Interstate Highway in Tennessee that serves Knoxville by connecting the downtown with I-75/I-640/US-25W. Measuring 2.98 miles (4.80 km) in length, the northern terminus is the junction with I-75/I-640/US-25W and the southern terminus is I-40.
Contents
Map of I-275, Knoxville, TN, USA
History
Originally constructed in 1958 as I-75, this was renumbered as I-275 in early 1982. Its renumbering became necessary when I-75 was re-routed onto I-640 to divert traffic from the downtown area; the remnant was designated as I-275.
In 2007, the existing cloverleaf exits (1A–B, 1C–D, 2A–B) were replaced with traditional diamond interchanges to add a continuous third lane in each direction. This was done to handle increased traffic flow for the shutdown of I-40 in downtown Knoxville that took place on May 1, 2008 . I-275 was the designated detour route for I-75 northbound traffic during the I-40 shutdown to avoid traffic congestion at the I-75/I-640/US-25W/I-275 junction as the ramp for I-75 northbound from I-640 eastbound is only one lane.
Exit list
The entire route is in Knoxville, Knox County.