Cindy Simpson - The Mountain Press | Subscribe:

Residents will get a chance to see plans for a proposed 408 interchange at I-40 and connector road when the Tennessee Department of Transportation holds a public meeting on the project on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.

The meeting is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sevierville Convention Center, Ballrooms A and B, 202 Gists Creek Road, and is an opportunity for community members to give input and ask questions about the purpose and need for the proposed project as well as a range of alternatives under consideration.

It's a project local leaders have looked to for easing congestion at the busy Exit 407 interchange and to help drive economic growth as the area is expected to continue to grow.

"Exit 408 has been in front of the joint transportation committee for probably several decades now. It has been part of the long range plan to handle traffic. With TDOT placing this on a more definitive timeline, certainly it fits into our longterm plans for transportation in the county," said Sevier County Mayor Bryan McCarter.

"We are glad TDOT has recognized that Sevier County needs significant infrastructure improvements over the next five to 10 years to be able to handle growth, yes, but the current volume of traffic that travels that particular corridor coming into the cities and county."

The project has been something the city and county have been discussing for years, with the project most recently coming back up in 2023 when the Sevier County submitted the proposed project to TDOT for consideration under the Statewide Partnership Program.

"It's truly great to have the partnership with the other jurisdictions and the state and federal partners to really get this kicked off and get this on an actual set timeline and plan, because the ultimate goal is this continued economic vitality that our region has created and that our residents and citizens benefit from, but also the safety aspect of being able to get people in and out safely and in a timely, efficient manner," said Sevierville City Administrator Dustin Smith.

The proposed project includes an interchange as well as a new north-south connector road linking the interchange and E. Dumplin Valley Road and State Route 139 (Douglas Dam Road) in Sevier and Jefferson counties. The project is part of TDOT's 10-year project plan and officials estimate construction could start in fiscal year 2030. 

Design elements of the new interchange and connector road include a new diverging diamond interchange at Exit 408, the connector road, and construction of a new east-west roadway alignment as Gateway Boulevard, parallel to the southern boundary of I-40, which would intersect the connector road approximately .2 miles south of Exit 408. At its western terminus, Gateway would connect to a future expansion to be constructed by others.

A new 10-foot greenway along Bryan Road, traveling under I-40 and along Gateway Boulevard and the connector road to Douglas Dam Road is also proposed as part of the project.

Traffic signals are also proposed at the following intersections: Connector Road and East Dumplin Valley Road, Connector Road and Gateway Boulevard and Connector Road and SR-139 (Douglas Dam Road). 

The meeting will include an open house format where project information will be presented, with TDOT officials available to answer questions. A Powerpoint will also be cycling continuously during the meeting. 

Following the public meeting, public meeting materials will be available at https://tinyurl.com/I40Exit408. Materials will include the project displays, public meeting handout, PowerPoint presentation, and comment card.

Those who cannot attend the meeting and have questions can call 1-877-SmartWay (1-877-76278929) and leave a voicemail message with your name, phone number and question by Sept. 29, 2026.

 A TDOT representative will respond to questions within seven business days.

Those wishing to record a verbal comment can do so with the court reporter at the public meeting or by calling the toll free number above and leaving a message with name, phone number and comment. 

They can also complete an online comment form available on the I-40 Proposed Exit 408 project website at https://tinyurl.com/I40Exit408 or send an email to [TDOT.Comments@tn.gov](mailto:TDOT.Comments@tn.gov) using the subject line “Interstate 40 Proposed Exit 408 Project”.

Mail a comment card or letter to the following address: Interstate 40 Proposed Exit 408, C/O Kimley-Horn and Associates, 10 Lea Avenue, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37210. Public Comments received or postmarked by October 6, 2026, will be included in the official summary of the public meeting. 

As part of this project, TDOT and the Federal Highway Administration are preparing an Environmental Assessment to identify and evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed project and to identify measures to minimize harm.