Talk:SmartFIX40

New article for historic TDOT project
@Bneu2013,

I am starting a draft for an article for SmartFIX40, since it was the largest construction project in the state of Tennessee's history until recent years with Alcoa Highway / U.S. 129 / Tennessee State Route 115 also in Knoxville.

I would like to see this article expanded to possibly good article status by the year's end. Hope to hear from you about possibly working on this venture together.

Thanks, AppalachianCentrist (talk) 19:00, 13 August 2023 (UTC)


 * - yes, Id love to work on this. This was indeed a groundbreaking project, and probably is deserving of its own article. Both Interstate 40 in Tennessee and Tennessee State Route 158 are now GAs, and you could use a lot of resources from there, especially for the background. For the background, I would start with the original freeway plans from the 1940s and 50s, Malfunction Junction, and the big reconstruction project during the World's Fair. I would also go into more depth about the reasons why the innovative construction methods were used (to shave off time, etc.). This is something that neither parent article goes into. If I remember right, the only other time an Interstate had ever been closed for a considerable amount of time for reconstruction was for 60 days in Indianapolis around 2003 or 2004. I would also discuss the legacy of this project, including other places where this method has been used; I recall a similar project on I-20/59 in Birmingham in 2019. Finally, if you haven't watched TDOT's documentary about this project, you should. This would be something to include in the external links section. Bneu2013 (talk) 21:47, 13 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Update - here is an article about the predecessor to SmartFix40; it was called Hyperfix 65/70. The documentary mentions that this was an inspiration for this project. Also, with regards to the cost, I believe $190 million was the bid price, but the final cost came out to $203.7 million. Bneu2013 (talk) 21:54, 13 August 2023 (UTC)
 * - on a related note, I'm trying once again to get Interstate 40 in Tennessee to featured articles status. Here is the review page. If you'd be willing to take a look and review this nomination, that would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping this time will finally be successful. Bneu2013 (talk) 04:47, 16 August 2023 (UTC)