James White Parkway extension killed in vote
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A transportation planning organization vote has killed a plan to extend a parkway from Knoxville to the Smoky Mountains.
The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1dSTfXM ) reported Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero made the motion Wednesday before the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization. The motion specifically removed extension of the James White Parkway from the group’s four-year Transportation Improvement Program.
The organization includes member from Knox, Blount, Anderson, Sevier and Loudon counties Extending the parkway would have cut through a network of hiking and biking trails.
Afterward, Tennessee Transportation Commissioner John Schroer said the state would spend no more money on the parkway extension if local governments are against it.
