USA Cycling event to impact Oak Ridge traffic Thursday
The USA Cycling National Pro Road, Crit, Time Trial Championships will be held in Oak Ridge and Knoxville Thursday through Sunday, June 23 through 26.
In partnership with Visit Knoxville, the city of Oak Ridge will host the ITT National Championships for the fourth time.
On Thursday, June 23, a significant portion of Melton Lake Drive will be shut down to through traffic to provide a closed-loop course, according to news releases from Explore Oak Ridge and the city.
Melton Lake Drive impact
7 a.m.: Melton Lake Drive will be closed from Amanda Drive to Emory Valley Road.
8:30 a.m.: Melton Lake Drive will be closed from Palisades Parkway to Rolling Links Boulevard. Union Valley Road will also be closed. Residents of the Rivers Run, Rockbridge and Royal Troon neighborhoods may enter and exit right onto Melton Lake Drive toward Edgemoor Road until 9:25 a.m.
9:25 a.m.: A full closure of Melton Lake Drive from Palisades Parkway to Edgemoor Road will begin. Residents of Palisades Parkway may turn left onto Melton Lake Drive toward Oak Ridge Turnpike.
Neighborhood impact
Cyclists will warm up along the course, including the neighborhoods, from 9 to 9:25 a.m. Neighborhood residents may enter and exit during this window via Rolling Links Boulevard toward Edgemoor Road and will be assisted by the Oak Ridge Police Department. Please practice extra caution during this time. The Rivers Run, Rockbridge and Royal Troon neighborhoods, including the Rolling Links Boulevard entrance, will be shut down beginning at 9:25 a.m. Residents may enter and exit the neighborhood using Rolling Links Boulevard via Edgemoor Road between approximately 11:10 to 11:40 a.m. In case of emergency, an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and fire truck will be on standby. Any recurring services. including but not limited to: home care, lawn care, or repair will need to be rescheduled or arrive prior to 9:25 a.m. All vehicles along the race route will need to be in the driveway and off the road.
"We invite residents to attend the time trial national championships to watch professional and elite men and women compete. This event truly consists of the best of the best in the nation, and some Oak Ridge residents will have a front row seat," according to the Explore Oak Ridge release.
Emory Valley Road Access: Emory Valley Road will be closed from the Artesia Drive intersection to Melton Lake Drive beginning at 7 a.m. There will be no access onto Melton Lake Drive from Emory Valley Road. Residents of Amanda Drive or Emory Valley Road will need to take Antioch Drive, Baylor Drive, Baltimore Drive, etc. to exit the neighborhood.
5:30 p.m.: All roads will tentatively be opened back up, according to the city release.
For questions or information, call (865) 483-1321 or email cyclinginfo@oakridgevisitor.com.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: USA Cycling event to impact Oak Ridge traffic Thursday
