Ravine Road to be closed, renamed as part of Gibson Mill Road realignment project
KINGSPORT – A segment of West Ravine Road will be permanently closed as a through-street to Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center on September 1, bringing a little bit of peace to residents along the road as medical traffic will be forced to take Holston Valley Drive from Clinchfield Street to reach the hospital.
The closure will also bring a new name to this section of Ravine Road, which will be renamed Cherokee Village Drive.
The work is taking place as part of the first phase of the Gibson Mill Road realignment project, which included the new traffic roundabout at Gibson Mill Road and Watauga Street. Also, in partnership with Wellmont Health System, contractors are completing a new stretch of road around the hospital from Cassel Drive to a new segment of Gibson Mill Road that will be constructed in phase 2 of the project. City officials expect to bid phase 2 of the project by September, with working beginning this fall.
Phase 2 of the project will realign Gibson Mill Road between Stone Drive and Millpond Street. This will eliminate the s-curves, add a center turn lane and improve safety in this area, as well as becoming the designated route to reach Holston Valley Medical Center from Stone Drive.
This is a long overdue project that will reduce confusion and improve access to a major medical facility in the heart of our city, City Manager John Campbell said Thursday. We look forward to moving ahead as fast as possible to see the full project completed with the least disruption possible to those who live and work in the area. Acting now also allows us to continue reaping savings from the current lower cost construction environment.
