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The Pope Road railroad crossing will be closing permanently on March 30 according to an announcement by the city of Morristown.

The change comes as the SR-34/11E project continues as large amounts of earth are moved to add 2 lanes of traffic and a turn lane to the existing two as the main travel artery into east Hamblen County is transformed.

While acknowledging the hassle that is currently facing drivers, officials are optimistic about the future of commuting in the area.

“I don’t think the closings will be as big a deal for people after the project’s done… hopefully people are able to get where they want to the way they want to a little faster,” Morristown Assistant City Administrator Larry Clark said.

Pope Road will be eliminated entirely from the north side of the railroad tracks to accommodate engineered slopes necessary for road support.

“Motorists who previously used Pope Road to access or cross SR-34 should utilize alternate routes, such as US-25e or Norfolk St.,” a city announcement said.

As the project continues, and disruptions like the closed-for-improvements intersection of Jaybird Road multiply, signage and communication campaigns will continue to alert drivers to the changes along 11E.

Eventually, the Jaybird Road intersection will reopen to provide a major connection between 11E and E. Morris Boulevard, which is concurrently receiving major road overhauls, and Norfolk Road will be closing permanently to accommodate new road slopes.