KNOXVILLE, TN (AP) A $104.6 million contract has been awarded to widen Interstate 40 through downtown Knoxville, making it the largest highway project ever undertaken in the state.

The project will get under way in May and eventually close I-40 downtown for about 14 months. Contractor BB SmartFix Constructors LLC will get a $7 million bonus if it completes the job by June 30, 2009. Each day beyond that carries a $25,000 penalty.

“Up to now, there’s been very little construction visible on the interstate, but now people will see more activity,” said Steve Borden, assistant regional director for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

TDOT announced the contract April 6 after the state and the Federal Highway Administration agreed the bid complied with the more than 1,400 pages of construction plans for the project.

With this contract, TDOT will have more than $252 million in road, highway and bridge work in action at the same time in the same general area.

Today's top stories

Blalock Crews Build TDOT's $67M Newport Bypass

New Bridges Part of Iowa's $114M Madison Avenue Project

Eagle Bridge Co. Works On Final Leg of U.S. 35 Upgrade

SAKAI Achieves Record Sales, Production

Takeuchi Recognizes Top Dealers at 2024 Dealer Summit

Equip Expo's Summer Giveaway Offers a Chance for Lifetime Trade Show Registration, Gift Card, Hotel Stay

Tennessee's Pugmill Systems LLC Expands Its Product Offerings to Include Concrete Plants

ASCENDUM Machinery Opens New Savannah, Ga., Facility