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USA Cycling time trial championship will change OR traffic patterns

The USA Cycling National Pro Road Time Trial Championships will be held in Knoxville and Oak Ridge June 17-20.

In partnership with Visit Knoxville, The city of Oak Ridge is hosting the national championships for the third time.

The championships come just ahead of the 2021 Olympics, and several Olympic athletes are expected to compete.

“This is an exciting time for Oak Ridge as we continue to show our natural assets and city to competitors from all over the world,” said Hannah Fatheree, event manager for Explore Oak Ridge. “We are grateful to the residents and visitors of Oak Ridge for their patience with traffic impacts and hope everyone comes out to watch the time trials.”

On Thursday, June 17, a significant portion of Melton Lake Drive will be shut down to through traffic to provide a closed-loop course.

Melton Lake Drive Impact:

Partial shutdown begins at 8 a.m., and the road will be closed from Amand Drive to Emory Valley Road; 9 a.m., the road will be closed from Palisades Parkway to Rolling Links Boulevard, and Union Valley Road will also be closed.

Residents of the River’s Run, Rockbridge and Royal Troon neighborhoods may exit right onto Melton Lake Drive toward Edgemoor Road until 9:15 a.m.

Full closure of MElton Lake Drive from Palisades Parkway to Edgemoor Road will begin at 9:15 a.m. Residents of Palisades Parkway may turn left onto Melton Lake Drive toward Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Neighborhood impact: The River’s Run, Rockbridge and Royal Troon neighborhoods, including the Rolling Links Boulevard entrance, will be shut down beginning at 9:15 a.m.. Residents may exit the neighborhood using Rolling Links Boulevard to turn right on Melton Lake Drive from 11:10-11:20 a.m.

In case of emergency, an EMS unit 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 9:15 a.m. All vehicles along the race route will need to be in driveways and off the road.

The city of Oak Ridge and USA Cycling 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 you have a front row seat.

Emory Valley Road access: Emory Valley Road will be closed from the Artesia Drive intersection to Melton Lake Drive at 8 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 or Baltimore Drive to exit the neighborhood.

All roads will be reopened at 5 p.m.

For information, call 865-483-1321 or email cyclinginfo@oakridgevisitor.com.