U.S. Route 23 in Tennessee#Designation history

File:Interstate 26 Bald Mountains Tennessee.jpg near the North Carolina state line]]

US 23 and I-26 are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), along with all other Interstate, U.S., and state highways in Tennessee. In 2022, annual average daily traffic (AADT) volumes ranged from 60,573 vehicles per day between SR 354 and SR 75 north of Johnson City to 11,089 vehicles per day at the North Carolina state line, which is the lowest traffic volume on any mainline Interstate Highway in Tennessee.{{cite web |author1 = Tennessee Department of Transportation |title = Transportation Data Management System |url = https://tdot.public.ms2soft.com/tcds/tsearch.asp?loc=Tdot&mod=TCDS |website = ms2soft.com |publisher = MS2 |access-date = November 27, 2021 }}

US 23 and I-26 enter Tennessee in Unicoi County from North Carolina at an elevation of {{convert|3,760|ft|m}} at Sam's Gap in the Bald Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is the highest elevation on the Interstate Highway System east of the Mississippi River and is near the crossing of the Appalachian Trail. A large truck parking area is located here off the northbound lanes. The freeway immediately begins a steep descent, and trucks are advised to slow to between {{convert|45|and|20|mph|km/h}}, depending on their weight. Along this stretch, mesh nets are located along artificial rock cuts to mitigate the effects of rockslides. A scenic overlook is located off the southbound lanes about {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} beyond the state line, and less than {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} beyond this overlook is a runaway truck ramp in the southbound lanes. The highway continues descending and crosses several long bridges over steep valleys that also serve as wildlife underpasses. The southbound lanes then have a second runaway truck ramp near where the elevation drops below {{convert|3,000|ft|m}}. The freeway then rounds a relatively sharp curve and has its first interchange near the Flag Pond community. Turning toward the northeast, the roadway continues to descend, with the grade gradually decreasing, and has a northbound scenic overlook a few miles beyond. The southern welcome center is located off of the interchange with Clear Branch Road. Continuing its descent, the highway crosses additional valleys and drops below {{convert|2,000|ft|m}} before beginning a concurrency with US 19W at an interchange in the Temple Hill community. The route then gradually levels out at the bottom of a deep mountain valley and reaches Erwin a couple of miles later.{{cite map |publisher = DeLorme |title = Tennessee Atlas & Gazetteer |edition = 2017 |year = 2017 |author = DeLorme |location = Yarmouth, Maine |scale = 1:158,400 |isbn = 978-1946494047 }}{{cite map |author = Tennessee Department of Transportation Long Range Planning Division Office of Data Visualization |title = Unicoi County |year = 2018 |url = https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/maps/county-maps-(us-shields)/o-w/Unicoi%20County.pdf |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation }}

Upon entering Erwin, US 19W/US 23/I-26 crosses the Nolichucky River. The freeway reaches the southern terminus of SR 81 and SR 107, the former of which also provides access to Jonesborough. It then leaves Erwin a few miles later and, gradually ascending a few hundred feet over the next few miles, enters the town of Unicoi, where it has an interchange with the western terminus of SR 173. Continuing through the same valley, the freeway gradually shifts into a more north–south alignment and briefly enters Carter County. An interchange is located at SR 359 where the highway enters Johnson City. The freeway zigzags over the next few miles, before shifting mostly into a northwest-to-southeast alignment, crossing into Washington County, and entering the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. The roadway crosses a long viaduct over a railroad and several surface streets before reaching an interchange with US 321 and SR 67, which both connect to Elizabethton. Passing through the business district of Johnson City, the freeway has interchanges with multiple surface streets, including SR 91 and SR 400, and crosses multiple railroads and surface streets. The highway then proceeds through residential neighborhoods in the northern part of Johnson City and turns more northeastwardly, before reaching a three-loop partial cloverleaf interchange with US 11E (North Roan Street), where US 19W splits off. Less than {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} later is an interchange with SR 381 (State of Franklin Road). The freeway crosses a ridge before reaching SR 354 (Boones Creek Road), which provides access to nearby Jonesborough. Leaving Johnson City, the highway crosses additional ridges and proceeds through a mix of farmland and residential neighborhoods before reaching an interchange with SR 75 (Bobby Hicks Drive/Suncrest Drive) in the Gray community. The freeway passes through additional farmland and neighborhoods before crossing into Sullivan County. A short distance beyond is a cloverleaf interchange with I-81 near the Fordtown community, which serves Bristol (the third Tri-City) to the northeast and Knoxville to the southwest.{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{cite map |author = Tennessee Department of Transportation Long Range Planning Division Office of Data Visualization |title = Carter County |year = 2018 |url = https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/maps/county-maps-(us-shields)/a-g/Carter%20County.pdf |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation }}|{{cite map |author = Tennessee Department of Transportation Long Range Planning Division Office of Data Visualization |title = Washington County |year = 2018 |url = https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/maps/county-maps-(us-shields)/o-w/Washington%20County.pdf |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation }}}}{{cite map |author = Tennessee Department of Transportation Long Range Planning Division Office of Data Visualization |title = Sullivan County |year = 2018 |url = https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/maps/county-maps-(us-shields)/o-w/Sullivan%20County.pdf |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation }}

File:Interstate 26 - Tennessee.jpg/Long Island and Bays Mountain]]

After interchanging with I-81, US 23 and I-26 curves sharply to the east, and sharply to the north immediately beyond. The freeway first has an interchange with SR 359 (Rock Springs Road), and one with an access road to the northern welcome center immediately beyond. Entering the outskirts of Kingsport, the freeway interchanges with SR 93 (Wilcox Drive, John B. Dennis Bypass), which serves as a bypass around the eastern side of Kingsport. The highway then ascends several hundred feet over the northern end of Bays Mountain, utilizing a northbound truck climbing lane and bypassing Kingsport to the west. It then descends this mountain, utilizing a southbound truck climbing lane. Near the bottom of this descent, the highway crosses two railroads and then crosses the Holston River and the western end of Long Island, along with a third railroad, on a long pair of viaducts. Here, the freeway reaches its lowest elevation in Tennessee, at approximately {{convert|1200|ft|m}}. It then has a partial cloverleaf interchange with US 11W (West Stone Drive), where I-26 reaches its western terminus. The freeway meanders over the next few miles through a residential area, before reaching a partial interchange with the northern terminus of SR 36 (Lynn Garden Drive) and SR 346 (Carters Valley Road). A pair of one-lane ramps carry US 23 traffic through this interchange into Virginia at the north end, and the road continues into Virginia as a four-lane divided highway.

The region that is now the northeastern corner of Tennessee was the first part of the state to be significantly explored and settled by European Americans. Longhunters from North Carolina and Virginia extensively explored the region in the 1750s and 1760s, which, at the time, was controlled by the Overhill Cherokee.{{cite book |last = Finger |first = John R. |title = Tennessee Frontiers: Three Regions in Transition |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1H2_CwAAQBAJ |pages = 40–41 |publisher = Indiana University Press |year = 2001 |isbn = 978-0-253-33985-0 |via = Google Books }} These settlers utilized a series of Native American trails that traversed the region.{{cite encyclopedia |url = https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/historic-trails/ |title = Historic Trails |last = Smith |first = David Ray |date = October 8, 2017 |encyclopedia = Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture |access-date = November 6, 2022 }} By the late 1760s, the first permanent White settlements began to arise, which gradually developed into the cities along the present-day US 23 corridor of Elizabethton, Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Kingsport.{{cite book |last1 = Corlew |first1 = Robert E. |last2 = Folmsbee |first2 = Stanley E. |last3 = Mitchell |first3 = Enoch |date = 1981 |title = Tennessee: A Short History |url = https://archive.org/details/tennesseeshorthi0000corl_y4h1/ |pages = 43–44 |location = Knoxville |publisher = University of Tennessee Press |edition = 2nd |isbn = 9780870496479 |via = Internet Archive }} These settlers founded the Watauga Association in 1772—a frontier pact generally regarded as the first constitutional government west of the Appalachian Mountains. The trail that would become part of US 19W through the Blue Ridge Mountains was utilized by the Overmountain Men—frontiersmen from west of the Blue Ridge Mountains who participated in the American Revolutionary War—in 1780. The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad, which came to be nicknamed the "Tweetsie", was chartered in 1866 for the purpose of transporting iron ore from mines in Cranberry, North Carolina. The first section, which ran between Hampton and Johnson City and passed through Elizabethton, opened in 1881. The tracks were completed into North Carolina the following year, providing the first efficient means of transportation across the mountains in this area.{{cite news |last1 = Morris |first1 = Peter |title = All Aboard! History of a Beloved Train |url = https://www.hcpress.com/blowing-rock/all-aboard-history-of-a-beloved-train.html |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = High Country Press |date = September 20, 2023 |location = Boone, North Carolina }}{{cite news |title = Rails to highways and trails: Keeping Johnson City moving |url = https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/living/features/rails-to-highways-and-trails-keeping-johnson-city-moving/article_5a4e3d16-e6ad-5299-811d-7cea5e0df601.html |access-date = January 11, 2024 |date = November 30, 2019 }} By 1890, a portion of the Clinchfield Railroad that ran through Kingsport, Johnson City, and Erwin was mostly complete.{{Cite book |last = Goforth |first = James A. |title = When Steam Ran the Clinchfield |publisher = Gem Publishers |year = 1991 |isbn = 1570720290 |location = Erwin, Tennessee |page = 2 }} Also around this time, the network of trails that would become the US 23 corridor had also largely come into existence.{{cite map |author = United States Geological Survey |author-link = United States Geological Survey |year = 1891 |title = Tennessee-North Carolina Roan Mountain Sheet |url = https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=e6d4a03e906f2ca6d3f4ba0205e28861 |format = PDF |type = Topographic map |series = 30 Minute Series |scale = 1:125,000 |location = Reston, Virginia |publisher = United States Geological Survey |access-date = January 11, 2024 }}

File:US 23 Tennessee 1926.svg

In 1915, the Tennessee Department of Highways and Public Works, the predecessor agency to TDOT, was established and tasked with establishing a state highway system. A proposal to construct a "wide road" between Johnson City and Asheville, North Carolina, reportedly existed as early as 1919.{{cite news |last = Crawford |first = Carole |date = July 4, 1995 |title = Improvement effort has long history |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676813/improvement-effort-has-long-history/ |page = 3 |work = The Erwin Record, Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} On October 1, 1923, the highway department established the Tennessee State Route System, the first numbered system of state highways in Tennessee. The network of roads that ran between the North Carolina state line at Spivey Gap and Kingsport were designated SR 36, and the short segment between Kingsport and the Virginia state line was designated SR 68.{{cite book |type = Report |author1 = Highway Planning Survey Division |year = 1925 |title = Biennial Report of the Commissioner of the Department of Highways and Public Works State of Tennessee For the Years 1923 and 1924 |url = https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/documents/100years/Biennial_Report%2c_Department_of_Highways_1923%2c_1924.pdf |location = Nashville |publisher = Tennessee Department of Highways and Public Works |access-date = May 19, 2023 |pages = 39–44 |oclc = }} By 1928, SR 68 was renumbered as part of SR 36, and the former designation was applied to a different route.{{cite book |type = Report |author1 = |year = 1929 |title = Biennial Report of the Commissioner, Department of Highways and Public Works, State of Tennessee, For the Biennium Ending June 30th, 1928 |url = https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3031563&seq=1 |location = Nashville |publisher = Tennessee Department of Highways and Public Works |access-date = January 6, 2024 |pages = 57–59 |oclc = |via = HathiTrust Digital Library }} The portion of the route between the North Carolina state line at Spivey Gap and Johnson City became part of the Appalachian Scenic Highway auto trail in the mid-1920s.{{cite news |title = "Appalachian Scenic Highway" Passing Through Johnson City |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-chronicle-appalachian-scen/138499517/ |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Johnson City Chronicle |date = September 21, 1926 |page = 16 }} On November 11, 1926, the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO; predecessor agency to AASHTO) established the U.S. Numbered Highway System.{{cite web |last = Weingroff |first = Richard F. |date = April 7, 2011 |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/numbers.cfm |title = From Names to Numbers: The Origins of the US Numbered Highway System |work = Highway History |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |access-date = June 10, 2011 }} An extension of US 23 was established by AASHO on May 26, 1930, with a complete concurrency with the road from the North Carolina state line at Spivey Gap to the Virginia state line in Kingsport. That same day, US 19W was established concurrent with the route from North Carolina to north of Johnson City.{{cite news |last1 = Hoss |first1 = Fred |title = Some Facts As To Transmontal Roads In Appalachian Section |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-staff-news-some-facts-as-to/138142714/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Johnson City Staff-News |date = August 26, 1930 |page = 2 |via = Newspapers.com }} Signs were posted later that year.{{cite news |title = Federal Markers Being Placed On U. S. 23; As H. Being Surfaced; Other Notes |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-staff-news-federal-markers/138142889/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Johnson City Staff-News |date = September 2, 1930 |page = 7 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |author = |date = September 5, 1930 |title = Markers Are Being Placed On Federal Highway No. 23 Which Runs Through Erwin |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-erwin-record-markers-are-being-place/131932822/ |page = 1 |work = The Erwin Record |access-date = September 17, 2023 |via = Newspapers.com }} The road between Sam's Gap and US 19W/US 23 in Ernestville was designated as an extension of SR 81 in 1938. On June 8, 1951, AASHO approved a request by the North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission to reroute US 23 onto this road and the continuing North Carolina Highway 36 to the south.{{cite web |url = https://na4.visualvault.com/app/AASHTO/Default/documentviewer?DhID=c7ca0296-49e6-ea11-a98a-ff9beffbfef8&hidemenu=true |title = Correspondence to Charles F. Wayland, Jr. and Henry W. Jordan |last = Hale |first = Hal H. |date = June 14, 1951 |website = VisualVault |publisher = American Association of State Highway Officials |access-date = January 13, 2024 }}

Like most stretches of highway in Tennessee, the road was paved in segments. The contract to pave the then-unnumbered {{convert|8|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} stretch between the North Carolina state line and SR 36 near Ernestville was awarded on August 10, 1919, and completed on May 14, 1920. On October 14, 1925, contracts were let to reconstruct the section in Sullivan and Washington counties. The Washington County project was completed on March 21, 1927, and the Sullivan County project on January 11, 1928. A project to grade and drain the {{convert|6.3|mi|km|adj=on}} section of SR 36 in Unicoi County between the North Carolina state line and Ernestville was let on December 11, 1925, and completed on September 10, 1927. Grading and drainage of the {{convert|9.4|mi|km|adj=on}} section between Erwin and the Carter County line was let on December 17, 1926, and finished on April 7, 1928.{{harvp|Tennessee Department of Highways and Public Works|1929|pp=88-99|ps.=}} Paving of this stretch was let on March 30, 1928, and completed on June 20, 1929. Paving of the southernmost {{convert|3.1|mi|km}} in Carter County was let on June 15, 1928, and completed on November 20 of that year. A contract to pave the {{convert|10|mi|km|adj=on}} section between the Sullivan–Washington county line and Johnson City was awarded on June 27, 1930, and work was completed on December 22 of that year.{{cite book |type = Report |author1 = |year = 1935 |title = Report of the State Highway Commissioner of Tennessee for the Biennium Ending June 30, 1934 |url = https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3031564&seq=127 |location = Nashville |publisher = Tennessee Department of Highways and Public Works |access-date = January 6, 2024 |pages = 108–149 |oclc = |via = HathiTrust Digital Library }} The final section in Tennessee to be paved, the {{convert|10.8|mi|km|adj=on}} section between Kingsport and the Virginia state line, was let to contract on February 20, 1931, and opened to traffic on July 8, 1931.{{cite news |author = |date = July 9, 1931 |title = Traffic Routed Over New Road |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-traffic-routed-over-new/131932144/ |page = 3 |work = The Kingsport Times |access-date = September 17, 2023 |via = Newspapers.com }} Final construction activities were completed seven days later, and the highway was dedicated by then-Governor Henry Horton in a large ceremony near the Sullivan–Washington county line on July 17, 1931.{{cite news |author = |date = July 17, 1931 |title = Road Opening Is Celebrated |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-road-opening-is-celebrat/131932428/ |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-gov-horton-raps-legisla/131932511/ 6] |work = The Kingsport Times |access-date = September 17, 2023 |via = Newspapers.com }}

File:U.S. 23 & I-26 dates Tennessee.png

The widening of US 23 to a four-lane controlled-access highway between Asheville, North Carolina, and Johnson City, Tennessee, was authorized by the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, which created the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the ADHS. This stretch was designated as part of Corridor B, and the project was known as Project A-10.{{cite news |url = http://www.mountainx.com/article/11472/The-political-history-of-I-26 |title = The Political History of I-26 |access-date = December 2, 2013 |date = July 16, 2003 |work = Mountain Xpress |first = Calvin |last = Allen |location = Asheville, North Carolina }} On October 11, 1966, the ARC approved the first funds for right-of-way acquisition and construction of the first link, located between Johnson City and I-81.

The first contract for construction was awarded on February 23, 1968, for the {{convert|3.1|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch between SR 75 in Gray and south of I-81,{{cite news |author = |date = February 24, 1968 |title = Appy Highway contract let |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-appy-highway-contract/112987220/ |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112987238/highway/ 14] |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} and work was completed on October 5, 1970, but not opened to traffic to allow for completion of the I-81 interchange.{{cite news |title = Appy road projects nearing completion |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-appy-road-projects-ne/138429648/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = September 23, 1970 |page = 3 }}{{cite news |title = Highway program key to area's top growth |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-highway-program-key-t/138430420/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = February 28, 1971 |page = 11A |via = Newspapers.com }} In July 1968, contracts were awarded for the section between north of I-81 and SR 93, and between SR 354 (Boones Creek Road) near Johnson City and SR 75.{{cite news |title = Appalachian Highway Bids Asked |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-appalachian-highway/138433045/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |date = June 2, 1968 |page = 9A |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |title = Appy road bids are processed |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-appy-road-bids-are-pr/138432827/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = July 3, 1968 |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-road-bids/138432835/ 10] |via = Newspapers.com }} The section between north of I-81 and SR 93 was declared complete on December 6, 1970.{{cite news |last1 = Kiss |first1 = Mary |title = Highway Ends Where The Mountain Begins |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-highway-ends-where/138428298/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |date = December 6, 1970 |page = 1B |via = Newspapers.com }} On January 9, 1971, the segment between SR 354 and SR 75 was opened.{{cite news |author = |date = January 8, 1971 |title = Another Link Opened On Appalachian Road |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112987435/another-link-opened-on-appalachian-road/ |page = 1 |work = Kingsport Times |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |last = Hodge |first = Tom |date = January 8, 1971 |title = Appy Highway segment completed |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112677347/appy-highway-segment-completed/ |page = 9 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = November 10, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} Construction on the {{convert|0.9|mi|km|adj=on}} section through the interchange with I-81 began on July 7, 1969, and work on the section between US 11E/US 19W (North Roan Street) in Johnson City and SR 354 commenced four months later.{{cite news |title = Another Appy Highway project under construction near city |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-another-appy-highway/138432487/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = November 29, 1969 |page = 10 |via = Newspapers.com }} On November 17, 1972, two separate sections were opened; the short stretch through the interchange with I-81,{{cite news |title = Interstate 81–New Section Complete |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110499439/interstate-81-new-section-complete/ |access-date = October 2, 2022 |work = Kingsport Times |date = November 17, 1972 |page = 6 |via = Newspapers.com }} and the segment between SR 381 in Johnson City and SR 354.{{cite news |author = |date = November 17, 1972 |title = New Appy Highway section to open today |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112677303/new-appy-highway-section-to-open-today/ |page = 17 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = November 10, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |title = Johnson City - Minutes Closer |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-johnson-city-minutes-c/138430829/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times |date = November 17, 1972 |page = 5 |via = Newspapers.com }} The {{convert|1|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} section in Johnson City between US 11E/US 19W and SR 381 was completed in early 1973.{{cite news |title = Expressway bid opening set |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-expressway-bid-openin/138432371/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = April 12, 1973 |page = 19 |via = Newspapers.com }} The segment to the south between SR 400 (Unaka Avenue, Watauga Avenue) and US 11E/US 19W was awarded on December 17, 1971, and the adjacent section from SR 91 (Market Street) to SR 400 was contracted on April 27, 1973;{{cite news |title = Roundup On Road Projects |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/elizabethton-star-roundup-on-road-projec/138147670/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Elizabethton Star |date = July 22, 1973 |page = 1A |via = Newspapers.com }} both sections opened on July 1, 1975.{{cite news |author = |date = June 29, 1975 |title = Appy Highway section to open; I-81 flow to change |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112871530/appy-highway-section-to-open-i-81-flow/ |page = 3 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = November 10, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}

In Erwin, the section between Jackson–Love Highway and SR 81/SR 107, referred to at the time as the Erwin Bypass, was let in May 1975 and completed in early November 1977.{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{cite news |title = 2 Unicoi County road projects slated by state |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-2-unicoi-county-road/138498536/ |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = April 24, 1975 |page = 14 |via = Newspapers.com }}|{{cite news |title = National Guard called into Unicoi County as area is devastated by floods |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-national-guard-called/138147189/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = November 7, 1977 |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-carter-unicoi-counti/138147195/ 10] |via = Newspapers.com }}|{{cite news |title = Now open (photo) |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-now-open/138147105/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = November 17, 1977 |page = 8 |via = Newspapers.com }}}} The section between Plymouth Road south of US 321/SR 67 in southern Johnson City and SR 91 was announced to have been awarded in two contracts on February 5, 1975.{{cite news |title = Appalachian Highway contracts awarded |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-appalachian-highway-c/138145844/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |date = February 5, 1975 |page = 12 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |title = Contracts Awarded On Appalachian Road |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/elizabethton-star-contracts-awarded-on-a/138145924/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Elizabethton Star |date = February 5, 1975 |page = 1 |via = Newspapers.com }} The section was opened to northbound traffic on October 23, 1978, and to southbound traffic the following day, after nearly 16 months of delays.{{cite news |author = |date = October 23, 1978 |title = Opening 137 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112872518/opening-137/ |page = 1 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = November 10, 2022 }}{{cite news |author = |date = October 24, 1978 |title = Yes, it's really open |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112872683/yes-its-really-open/ |page = 4 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = November 10, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} Work on the stretch between SR 93 and US 11W (West Stone Drive) in Kingsport began on December 12, 1977,{{cite news |title = Route 137 Work To Begin Dec. 12 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-route-137-work-to-b/138146215/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |date = December 3, 1977 |page = 10 |via = Newspapers.com }} and the stretch was dedicated and opened on November 13, 1981.{{cite news |author = |date = November 13, 1981 |title = Route 137 section opened; Erwin portion nearly finished |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-route-137-section-ope/138427916/ |page = 13 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = January 10, 2024 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |last = Jacobs |first = Don |date = November 14, 1981 |title = New State 137 section provides scenic bypass |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112677198/new-state-137-section-provides-scenic/ |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112677222/new-state-137-opens/ 2] |work = Kingsport Times-News |access-date = November 10, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} This project proved to be one of the most complex highway projects along the route, requiring nearly {{Convert|2.8|e6yd3|e6m3}} of earth and rock to be excavated from Bays Mountain, along with the twin bridges across the Holston River and Long Island.{{cite news |last1 = Kiss |first1 = Mary |title = 2 Major Projects Bring 'Progress' To Bays Mountain |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-2-major-projects-br/138146177/ |access-date = January 6, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |date = November 6, 1977 |pages = 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-progress-comes-to-b/138146185/ 10A] |via = Newspapers.com }} The second part of the Erwin Bypass, between SR 81/SR 107 and north of Main Street, opened on January 29, 1982.{{cite news |author = |date = January 28, 1982 |title = Dedication scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Friday for Erwin Bypass |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112873830/dedication-scheduled-at-1030-am/ |page = 2 |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |last = Jones |first = Bill M. |date = March 7, 1982 |title = Erwin By-Pass completion marks milestone |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112873793/erwin-by-pass-completion-marks-milestone/ |page = 33B |work = Johnson City Press-Chronicle |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} In Kingsport, the section between US 11W and the Virginia state line was contracted on January 5, 1981,{{cite news |title = North Carolina firm awarded contract for State Route 137 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-north-carolina-firm/138434919/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |date = January 6, 1981 |page = 8A |via = Newspapers.com }} and dedicated and opened on November 17, 1983.{{cite news |title = Final portion of U.S. Highway 23 to open |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-final-portion-of-u/138431443/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |date = November 16, 1983 |page = 2A |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |last1 = Yancey |first1 = Tom |title = West Stone Drive Linked to Virginia |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-west-stone-drive-li/138431428/ |access-date = January 10, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |date = November 18, 1983 |page = 1A |via = Newspapers.com }} Contracts were awarded for the stretch between Main Street in Erwin and Plymouth Road south of Johnson City in April 1981 and January 1982,{{cite news |author = |date = |title = Appy Highway continues despite plans to abolish ARC |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/elizabethton-star-appy-highway-continues/138434296/ |page = 1 |work = Elizabethton Star |access-date = January 10, 2024 |via = Newspapers.com }} and the stretch was dedicated and opened by then-Governor Lamar Alexander on June 20, 1986, after multiple delays.{{cite news |last = Crawford |first = Carole |date = June 19, 1986 |title = Highway to open; Parish calls story in paper 'vicious' |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112874670/highway-to-open-parish-calls-story-in/ |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112874693/highway/ 6] |work = Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |last = Jones |first = Bill M. |date = June 20, 1986 |title = Long-awaited highway to open to traffic |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112874627/long-awaited-highway-to-open-to-traffic/ |page = 1 |work = Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}

File:Bald-mountains-I-26-tn1.jpg

While the Tennessee legislature continued to appropriate funds to construct the highway between Erwin and the Virginia state line, funds for ADHS corridors began lagging in the 1970s, and, by the end of that decade, plans to upgrade the stretch over the Bald Mountains had largely stalled. State Representative Zane Whitson of Erwin, who was elected in 1978, campaigned on reviving the project.{{cite news |last = Houk |first = Robert |date = July 4, 1995 |title = Several politicians held key to highway |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676904/several-politicians-held-key-to-highway/ |page = 4 |work = Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} A draft environmental impact statement (EIS) was prepared and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on January 16, 1984,{{cite book |author = |title = Draft Environmental Impact Statement: State Routes 81 & 36, Appalachian Corridor B, Unicoi County, Tennessee |url = https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ien.35556030804355&seq=1 |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration |date = 1984 |via = HathiTrust Digital Library }} and in August 1985, two planners from Johnson City suggested renumbering the route to I-181 in order to make the highway eligible for additional federal funds. In 1986, the extension through the Bald Mountains was included as one of six new freeway projects dubbed "Bicentennial Parkways" in the Better Roads Program, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly.{{cite book |type = Report |last1 = Henry |first1 = Douglas |author1-link = Douglas Henry |last2 = Darnell |first2 = Riley |author2-link = Riley Darnell |last3 = Bragg |first3 = John |last4 = Robinson |first4 = C. Robb |author4-link = C. Robb Robinson |date = April 1, 1986 |title = 1986 Road Program |url = https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/documents/1986_road_program.pdf |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation |access-date = April 26, 2020 |archive-date = January 23, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200123205634/https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/documents/1986_road_program.pdf |url-status = live }} This program, which had been proposed and spearheaded by Governor Alexander, increased the state's gasoline and diesel taxes to fund these freeway projects as well as a backlog of 15 projects that had been labeled as top priorities, and other projects.{{cite web |url = https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/documents/TDOT-History.pdf |title = Brief History of TDOT |author = Tennessee Department of Transportation |date = 2014 |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation |access-date = April 28, 2020 |archive-date = January 23, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200123205455/https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/documents/TDOT-History.pdf |url-status = live }} The project was referred to in the plan as the "Interstate 181 Extension" and was expected to cost $95.5 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|95500000|1986}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}) at the time. The project was further accelerated the following year by new Governor Ned McWherter. Construction would begin before the final EIS was approved on January 2, 1991, which would later prompt controversy.{{cite book |author = |title = Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Section 4(f) Determination: U.S. 23, State Routes 81 & 36, Unicoi County, Tennessee |url = https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ien.35556030804363&seq=1 |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration |date = 1991 |via = HathiTrust Digital Library }}

The contract for the first section of the extension, {{convert|4.6|mi|km}} between near the Temple Hill community and Jackson–Love Highway, was awarded on February 16, 1990. On May 1, 1990, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, officiated by Governor McWherter.{{cite news |last = Houk |first = Robert |date = May 2, 1990 |title = U.S. 23 at whim of weather, Lord |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112986092/us-23-at-whim-of-weather-lord/ |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112986097/whim/ 8] |work = Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} The section between Flag Pond and Temple Hill was awarded on January 2, 1991, and the {{convert|2.8|mi|km|adj=on}} section between Carver Road (near the southernmost runaway truck ramp) and Flag Pond was awarded on May 21, 1991. Due to the mountainous setting, the project proved to be one of the most difficult and laborious projects ever undertaken by TDOT and required nearly {{convert|25|e6yd3|e6m3}} of rock and dirt to be moved.{{cite news |last = Ledford |first = Joe |date = July 4, 1995 |title = Widening the Gap; Massive obstacles overcome to make road |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112986502/widening-the-gap/ |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112986507/obstacles/ 17] |work = The Erwin Record, Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} In September 1992, a lawsuit was jointly filed against TDOT by the Tennessee Environmental Council, the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, and the Good Earth Defense Fund alleging violations of the National Environmental Policy and Clean Water acts.{{cite news |last = Hebestreet |first = Kristen |date = September 3, 1992 |title = Groups demand end to construction |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112986600/groups-demand-end-to-construction/ |page = 3 |work = Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |last = McKnight |first = Gail |date = September 3, 1992 |title = Suit says I-26 construction in violation |url = https://tennessean.newspapers.com/clip/112986693/suit-says-i-26-construction-in-violation/ |page = 6-B |work = The Tennessean |location = Nashville |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} The suit was dropped when TDOT agreed to modify the design of the highway in order to be more environmentally conscious, which included additional erosion control measures and the construction of two wildlife underpass tunnels, nicknamed "bear boxes", under the highway.{{cite news |last = Hebestreet |first = Kristen |date = July 4, 1995 |title = Project forced DOT to steer new course |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112986551/project-forced-dot-to-steer-new-course/ |page = 14 |work = The Erwin Record, Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} They also agreed to set up an environmental advisory agency for the department.{{cite news |last1 = Paine |first1 = Anne |last2 = Ferguson |first2 = Carrie |date = January 4, 1993 |title = Transportation agency gets environmental advisers |url = https://tennessean.newspapers.com/clip/112986822/transportation-agency-gets/ |page = 4B |work = The Tennessean |location = Nashville |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} On December 21, 1993, the section between US 19W and Jackson–Love Highway opened.{{cite news |author = |date = December 24, 1993 |title = Highway opens (caption) |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676860/highway-opens/ |page = 5 |work = Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} On July 5, 1995, the final section opened to traffic in a dedication ceremony at Sam's Gap, officiated by then-Governor Don Sundquist, former Governor McWherter, and Representative Jimmy Quillen, along with other state and local officials.{{cite news |last = Rutledge |first = Mark |date = July 6, 1995 |title = Four-lane to N.C. line opens |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676935/four-lane-to-nc-line-opens/ |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112676969/line/ 6] |work = Johnson City Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |author = |date = July 6, 1995 |title = Highway opens to Tennessee's future |url = https://tennessean.newspapers.com/clip/112986990/highway-opens-to-tennessees-future/ |page = 3B |work = The Tennessean |location = Nashville |agency = Associated Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }} The final cost of the extension was $170 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|170000000|1995}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}).{{cite news |last = Lloyd |first = Leslie |date = July 3, 1995 |title = Tenn. stretch of future I-26 now open to traffic |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112987019/tenn-stretch-of-future-i-26-now-open/ |page = A13 |work = The Commercial Appeal |location = Memphis |agency = Associated Press |access-date = November 13, 2022 |via = Newspapers.com }}

In May 1989, the Tennessee General Assembly designated US 23 in Tennessee "James H. Quillen Parkway" after Quillen (1916–2003), a longtime U.S. Representative from the area.{{cite news |last1 = Weston |first1 = Alan |date = May 24, 1989 |title = Senate approves legislation to help indigent in court |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-senate-approves-leg/138820692/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |page = 3B |language = en-US }}{{cite news |date = June 3, 1990 |title = Reveling in his job after 28 years, Quillen makes bid for 15th term |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-reveling-in/138820477/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = The Knoxville News-Sentinel |page = B9 |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} Quillen represented the state's first congressional district, which includes the entire highway, from 1963 to 1997, making him the state's longest serving member of Congress.{{cite news |date = November 4, 2003 |title = Jimmy Quillen, 87; Represented Tenn. in Congress for 34 Years |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-04-me-passings4.1-story.html |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Los Angeles Times |language = en-US |issn = 2165-1736 |oclc = 3638237 }}{{cite news |last1 = Bernstein |first1 = Adam |date = November 3, 2003 |title = James Quillen, Longtime Tennessee Congressman |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2003/11/03/james-quillen-longtime-tennessee-congressman/5129ef54-5a70-492c-92a7-5c153fac71dd/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |newspaper = The Washington Post |language = en-US |issn = 0190-8286 |oclc = 2269358 }} During his tenure, Quillen worked to appropriate federal funds for the upgrading of US 23 to a freeway.{{cite news |last1 = Wagner |first1 = Rick |date = April 14, 1996 |title = A lasting impression: Retiring lawmaker looks back on 30 years in Washington |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/bristol-herald-courier-a-lasting-impress/138823444/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Bristol Herald Courier |pages = 1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/bristol-herald-courier-lasting/138823490/ 5A] |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com |issn = 1552-2458 |oclc = 43525780 }} The freeway through the Bald Mountains received the 1996 Award of Excellence in Highway Design from the FHWA for the efforts made by its designers and planners to protect the environment and preserve the natural integrity along the route, as well as the aesthetic benefits offered to motorists.

A total of three new interchanges have been added to the freeway since its initial construction. In 1975, an interchange was constructed with Eastern Star Road near Fordtown.{{cite news |last1 = Patterson |first1 = Rick |date = November 9, 1975 |title = Who's Responsible For Fordtown Road Access |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-whos-responsible-f/138662897/ |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |page = 11A |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |last1 = Jones |first1 = Bill |date = December 17, 1975 |title = Landfill Nearing Completion |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-landfill-nearing-complet/138663482/ |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times |page = 7C |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} Between January 1986 and October 1987, an at-grade intersection with SR 81/SR 107 in Erwin was replaced with an interchange in a project that also consisted of widening the latter route. This intersection had been the site of frequent accidents and brought the section up to freeway standards.{{cite news |last1 = Travis |first1 = Fred |date = January 14, 1986 |title = DOT awards road contracts |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-dot-awards-road-contr/138498454/ |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |page = 16 |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |date = October 14, 1987 |title = Safe intersection now |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-safe-intersection-now/138498266/ |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |page = 4 |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} An interchange with Tinker Road in Unicoi was constructed in 2003.{{cite news |last1 = Garland |first1 = Chris |date = December 20, 2003 |title = Unicoi County officials hope new exit will attract business |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-unicoi-county-officia/138661757/ |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |pages = 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-exit/138661927/ 6A] |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} While the freeway was still under construction in North Carolina, planning began for the construction of welcome centers near each terminus of the route in Tennessee.{{cite news |last1 = Watson |first1 = James |date = April 17, 2003 |title = Kingsport gets OK for highway center |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-kingsport-gets-ok-for/138665558/ |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-center/138665619/ 8] |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} Construction began on the south welcome center, located off the Clear Branch Road exit, in October 2008,{{cite news |last1 = Wozniak |first1 = Jim |date = November 2, 2008 |title = Land preparation under way for welcome center |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-land-preparation-unde/138670636/ |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |page = 4A |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} and the welcome center opened to the public on February 12, 2010.{{cite news |last1 = Wachter |first1 = Dana |date = February 16, 2010 |title = New Tennessee Welcome Center opens near the North Carolina state line |url = http://www2.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/new_tennessee_welcome_center_opens_near_the_north_carolina_state_line/41595/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100412150205/http://www2.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/new_tennessee_welcome_center_opens_near_the_north_carolina_state_line/41595/ |archive-date = April 12, 2010 |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = TriCities.com |location = Bristol, Tennessee |language = en-US }} A grand opening ceremony was held on during National Tourism Week on May 14, 2010.{{cite press release |title = Grand Opening of Brand New Tennessee Welcome Center in Unicoi County |url = https://www.tn.gov/news/2010/5/14/grand-opening-of-brand-new-tennessee-welcome-center-in-unicoi-county.html |location = Nashville, Tennessee |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation |date = May 14, 2010 |access-date = January 13, 2024 |language = en-US }} An environmental assessment conducted in 2004 revealed the existence of caves underneath a proposed site for the north welcome center in Kingsport, forcing the state to choose an adjacent site to the south two years later.{{unbulleted list citebundle|{{cite news |last1 = Griffith |first1 = Chelsea |title = Kingsport center site falls victim to sinkholes |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-kingsport-center-site/138671155/ |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |agency = NET News Service |date = April 29, 2004 |page = 1B |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }}|{{cite news |last1 = Lane |first1 = Matthew |title = Two transportation projects in area to get state funding |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-two-transportation-pr/138671338/ |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |agency = NET News Service |date = June 5, 2006 |page = 5A |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }}|{{cite news |last1 = Lane |first1 = Matthew |title = TDOT to outline status of Interstate 26 welcome center |url = https://www.timesnews.net/news/local-news/tdot-to-outline-status-of-interstate-26-welcome-center/article_cbab3cbb-b1c2-525e-801e-dc0a1d69d018.html |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |language = en-US |date = January 16, 2010 }}}} In September 2011, construction began on an interchange and access road to serve this welcome center. Initially slated for completion in September 2012, final work was not completed until July 2013.{{cite news |last1 = Lane |first1 = Matthew |date = June 15, 2013 |title = Completion of welcome center project pushed back |url = https://www.timesnews.net/news/local-news/completion-of-welcome-center-project-pushed-back/article_9c44c0da-ea01-5df7-80da-ac21c505750e.html |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |language = en-US }} A groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the welcome center was held on October 23, 2013,{{cite press release |title = TDOT Breaks Ground on New Welcome Center on I-26 |url = https://www.tn.gov/news/2013/10/23/tdot-breaks-ground-on-new-welcome-center-on-i-26.html |location = Nashville, Tennessee |publisher = Tennessee Government Newsroom |date = October 23, 2013 |access-date = January 13, 2024 |language = en-US }} and the center opened to the public on November 25, 2014.{{cite news |last1 = Lane |first1 = Matthew |date = December 1, 2014 |title = Kingsport's new I-26 welcome center is now open for business |url = https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/local-news/kingsports-new-i-26-welcome-center-is-now-open-for-business/article_171c4643-15e7-5431-92be-e0feaf7c11cf.html |access-date = January 13, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |language = en-US |agency = NET News Service }}

The interchange with SR 381 was reconstructed into a single-point urban interchange between early 1998 and late 2001 in a project that also required the replacement and raising of the bridges on I-26/US 23.{{cite news |last1 = Keeling |first1 = Jeff |date = February 19, 1998 |title = Intersection to undergo makeover |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-intersection-to-under/138497637/ |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |page = 3 |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |last1 = Brooks |first1 = James |date = May 4, 2001 |title = I-181 overpass project nearing finish |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-i-181-overpass-projec/138497387/ |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |page = 1 |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} Between December 2013 and September 2015, the interchange with SR 75 in Gray was modified in a project that replaced the three-lane overpass with a five-lane overpass, added a dedicated offramp from US 23 southbound/I-26 eastbound to SR 75 southbound, and reconfigured the eastbound loop offramp to serve SR 75 northbound only.{{cite news |last1 = Gray |first1 = Gary B. |date = November 24, 2013 |title = Big improvements coming to I-26/Highway 75 interchange |url = https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/article/112759/big-improvements-coming-to-i-26-highway-75-interchange |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131128103231/https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/article/112759/big-improvements-coming-to-i-26-highway-75-interchange |archive-date = November 28, 2013 |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |language = en-US }}{{cite news |last1 = Osborne |first1 = J. H. |date = October 14, 2014 |title = Road work ahead: TDOT gives area officials update on large projects |url = https://www.timesnews.net/news/local-news/road-work-ahead-tdot-gives-area-officials-update-on-large-projects/article_de21fdbe-9a4f-511c-8be4-e19e020f5cb7.html |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times-News |language = en-US }} The diamond interchange with SR 354 was reconstructed into a diverging diamond interchange between July 2019 and May 2021 in a project that also included widening SR 354 through the interchange.{{cite news |last1 = Houk |first1 = Robert |date = February 15, 2021 |title = Work is winding down on the Boones Creek interchange project |url = https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/work-is-winding-down-on-the-boones-creek-interchange-project/article_e7b6f93c-6ca4-11eb-b6cd-2f8a47480339.html |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |language = en-US }}{{cite news |last1 = Wood |first1 = Debra |title = Double Diamond Interchange Improves Traffic Flow at I-26 Interchange in Tennessee |url = https://acppubs.com/DXC/article/BBEF825C-double-diamond-interchange-improves-traffic-flow-at-i-26-interchange-in-tennessee |access-date = January 11, 2024 |work = Dixie Contractor |publisher = Associated Construction Publications |language = en-US }} On September 27, 2024, flooding from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene resulted in the partial destruction of the Nolichucky River bridges, and closure of the route between the North Carolina state line and SR 81/SR 107.{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Murry |date=September 27, 2024 |title=TDOT: I-26 closed in Unicoi County due to flooding |url=https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tdot-state-routes-in-northeast-tennessee-closed-due-to-trees-flooding/ |publisher=WJHL-TV |location=Johnson City, Tennessee |access-date=September 28, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Jim |date=September 28, 2024 |title=Interstates 26, 40 Shut By Flood Waters |url=https://wgrv.com/2024/09/28/interstates-26-40-shut-by-flood-waters/ |publisher=WGRV |location=Greeneville, Tennessee |access-date=September 28, 2024}} The section between the state line and Jackson-Love Highway reopened to local traffic on October 10, 2024.{{cite news |last=Codispoti |first=Madi |date=October 10, 2024 |title=Motorists take to I-26 as section reopens following flooding |url=https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/motorists-take-to-i-26-as-section-reopens-following-flooding/ |publisher=WJHL-TV |location=Johnson City, Tennessee |access-date=November 5, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Dunbar |first=Hayden |date=October 9, 2024 |title=I-26 between the state line and Erwin is reopening to local traffic |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2024/10/09/i-26-between-state-line-and-erwin-tennessee-reopening-to-local-traffic/75596582007/ |work=The Knoxville News Sentinel |access-date=November 5, 2024}} On October 30, the remainder of the route was reopened after a temporary fill was constructed in the footprint of the collapsed southbound Nolichucky River bridge section. Traffic is currently restricted to two lanes across the bridge, and loads wider than {{convert|10|ft|m}} are prohibited.{{cite press release |title = Traffic Restriction Update for I-26 in Unicoi County |url = https://www.tn.gov/tdot/news/2024/11/1/traffic-restriction-update-for-i-26-in-unicoi-county.html |location = Nashville, Tennessee |publisher = Tennessee Department of Transportation |date = November 4, 2024 |access-date = November 5, 2024 |language = en-US }}{{cite news |last1 = Stradling |first1 = Richard |date = November 2, 2024 |title = Interstate 26 access restored between NC and Tennessee for first time since Helene |url = https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article294776519.html |access-date = November 5, 2024 |work = The News & Observer |location = Raleigh |language = en-US}}

File:Former Interstate 181 northbound in Johnson City.jpg

{{Infobox road small

|state=TN

|type=SR

|route=137

|location=Kingsport, Tennessee–Virginia state line

|length_mi=3.03

|length_ref=

|formed=1968

}}

{{Infobox road small

|state=TN

|type=I

|route=181

|location=Johnson City–Kingsport

|length_mi=23.85

|length_ref={{cite book |title = The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways: Route Log and Finder List |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=rTlPAAAAMAAJ |date = March 2001 |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |location = Washington, DC |page = 20 |language = en-US |chapter = Table 2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways |access-date = January 11, 2024 |via = Google Books }}

|formed=1985

|deleted=2007

}}

{{Infobox road small

|state=TN

|type=I

|route=26

|location=North Carolina state line–Kingsport, Tennessee

|length_mi=54.45

|length_ref=

|formed=2003

}}

The controlled-access highway that ran between Johnson City and Kingsport was initially established as State Route 137 (SR 137), with this designation extended as new sections were completed. Although the route had come to be referred to as the new alignment for US 23 before construction began,{{cite news |date = October 12, 1966 |title = New Route 23 Work Begins In December |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-new-route-23-work-begins/138825347/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Kingsport Times |page = 1 |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |date = January 21, 1966 |title = Access Roads To New Highway Is Requested |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-news-access-roads-to-new-highw/138824904/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Kingsport News |page = 10 |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} it was not until June 28, 1982, that AASHTO approved rerouting US 23 onto the freeway from its original alignment with SR 36. This formed a concurrency with SR 137.{{AASHTO minutes |year=1982S |page=5 |access-date=November 11, 2015 }} On December 4, 1985, the stretch between I-81 and US 11W in Kingsport was renumbered as Interstate 181 (I-181) by the FHWA.{{cite web |last = Morgan |first = R. D. |date = December 4, 1985 |title = Correspondence to Dale Kelley |url = https://na4.visualvault.com/app/AASHTO/Default/documentviewer?DhID=605666e4-00d5-ea11-a98a-ff9beffbfef8&hidemenu=true |access-date = January 15, 2024 |website = VisualVault |publisher = American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials |language = en-US }} The I-181 designation was formally approved and extended south to US 321/SR 67 in Johnson City by AASHTO on June 9, 1986.{{AASHTO minutes |year=1986S |page=2 |access-date=January 28, 2023}} Both these redesignations replaced SR 137 but kept the US 23 designation, and exits were numbered according to US 23's mileage. This reduced SR 137 to its present-day designation between US 11W and the Virginia state line, all within Kingsport.

On June 7, 1988, AASHTO approved an extension of I-26 from North Carolina to I-81, contingent upon the completion and certification of the freeway in both states.{{AASHTO minutes |year=1988S |page=4 |access-date=November 11, 2015 }} On August 5, 2003, after completion of a {{convert|9|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} adjacent section of controlled-access highway in North Carolina, I-26 was extended west into Tennessee, replacing I-181 from Johnson City to I-81.{{cite news |last = Garland |first = Chris |date = August 3, 2003 |title = Road to Fruition: First discussed in the '60s, Tuesday a new Appalachian corridor officially opens |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-road-to-fruition/131933178/ |access-date = September 17, 2023 |work = Johnson City Press |pages = 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-fruition/131933224/ 8A] |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }}{{AASHTO minutes |year=2003S |page=11 |access-date=December 2, 2013 }} AASHTO initially ruled against an extension of the I-26 designation along the remainder of I-181 to Kingsport, however, since federal guidelines usually require mainline Interstate Highways to end at a junction with another Interstate Highway, an international border, or a seacoast.{{cite news |last = Watson |first = James |date = July 25, 2003 |title = Kingsport won't get I-26 through town, state rules |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110621630/kingsport-wont-get-i-26-through-town/ |access-date = October 3, 2022 |work = Johnson City Press |pages = 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110621654/kingsport/ 4A] |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} TDOT had proposed to renumber that stretch as I-126 but rescinded that proposal later that year.{{cite news |last = Watson |first = James |date = April 19, 2003 |title = Kingsport fighting uphill battle to get I-26 into town |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110621553/kingsport-fighting-uphill-battle-to-get/ |access-date = October 3, 2022 |work = Johnson City Press |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110621576/i-26/ 8] |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, signed into law on August 10, 2005, authorized the remainder of I-181 to be redesignated as part of I-26. AASHTO formally approved the renumbering on May 5, 2006.{{AASHTO minutes |year=2006S |page=1 |access-date=December 2, 2013 }} In March 2007, I-181 was officially decommissioned and replaced with I-26 signage.{{cite news |last = Barber |first = Rex |date = March 2, 2007 |title = New Directions: I-181 to become I-26 in Sullivan; all exit signs, markers to change |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110621788/new-directions/ |access-date = October 3, 2022 |work = Johnson City Press |pages = 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110621818/directions/ 4A] |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }} In preparation for the extension of I-26, mileposts were renumbered from a south-to-north to a north-to-south sequence in May 2006 in order to match this designation.{{cite news |date = May 11, 2006 |title = State begins changing I-181 to I-26 in area |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/elizabethton-star-state-begins-changing/138808753/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Elizabethton Star |page = 5A |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com |agency = Associated Press }}{{cite news |last1 = Lane |first1 = Matthew |date = July 30, 2006 |title = I-26 exit signs not ready to be renumbered yet |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-i-26-exit-signs-not-r/138674957/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |page = 4A |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com |agency = NET News Service }} At the same time that I-181 signage was replaced, exit numbers were renumbered to match the new I-26 mileposts. In order to avoid confusing motorists, crews installed small signs listing the old exit numbers at each interchange, which were left in place for the next 18 to 24 months.{{cite news |last1 = Thomas |first1 = Christan M. |date = September 25, 2006 |title = Area businesses concerned about impact of new I-26 mile markers |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-area-businesses-conce/138808851/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Johnson City Press |pages = 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/johnson-city-press-markers/138808881/ 6A] |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com }}{{cite news |date = March 2, 2007 |title = I-26 gets new exit numbers, signs |url = https://www.newspapers.com/article/elizabethton-star-i-26-gets-new-exit-num/138675150/ |access-date = January 15, 2024 |work = Elizabethton Star |page = 2A |language = en-US |via = Newspapers.com |agency = Associated Press }}

Old exit numbers were based on US 23 distances; new exit numbers are based on I-26 milemarkers.

{{jcttop|old||length_ref={{cite map |map = National Highway Planning Network |map-url = https://data-usdot.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/usdot::national-highway-planning-network/explore?location=35.843003%2C-86.343051%2C7.30 |author = Bureau of Transportation Statistics |date = June 13, 2022 |title = National Transportation Atlas Database |publisher = United States Department of Transportation |access-date = April 29, 2023 |location = Washington, DC }}}}

{{TNint|old

|county=Unicoi

|cspan=9

|location=none

|mile=0.00

|road={{jct|state=NC|I|26|US|23|dir1=east|dir2=south|city1=Asheville}}

|notes=Continuation into North Carolina through Sam's Gap; I-26 mile 54.45

}}

{{TNint|old

|location=none

|mile=4.52

|old=5

|exit=50

|road=Flag Pond Road – Flag Pond

|notes=I-26 mile 49.93

}}

{{TNint|old

|location=none

|mile=8.10

|old=9

|exit=46

|road=Clear Branch Road – Welcome Center

|notes=Access to Tennessee Welcome Center; I-26 mile 46.35

}}

{{TNint|old

|location=Temple Hill

|mile=10.90

|type=concur

|old=12

|exit=43

|road={{jct|state=TN|US|19W|dir1=south|to2=to|Sec|352|name1=Temple Hill Road, SR 36}}

|notes=Southern end of US 19W concurrency; I-26 mile 43.55

}}

{{TNint|old

|location=Erwin

|lspan=3

|mile=14.64

|old=15

|exit=40

|road=Jackson-Love Highway – Erwin

|notes=I-26 mile 39.81

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=17.21

|old=18

|exit=37

|road={{jct|state=TN|SR|81|dir1=North|Sec|107|city1=Erwin|city2=Jonesborough|city3=Greeneville}}

|notes=Southern terminus of SR 81; I-26 mile 37.24

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=18.72

|old=19

|exit=36

|road=Harris Hollow Road to {{jct|state=TN|Sec|107|name1=North Main Ave|city1=Erwin}}

|notes=Signed as Main Street; I-26 mile 35.73

}}

{{TNint|old

|location=Unicoi

|lspan=2

|mile=20.76

|old=21

|exit=34

|road=Tinker Road – Unicoi

|notes=I-26 mile 33.69

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=22.63

|old=23

|exit=32

|road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|173|dir1=east|name1=Unicoi Road|city1=Unicoi}}

|notes=I-26 mile 31.82

}}

{{TNint|old

|county=Carter

|location=Johnson City

|lspan=7

|mile=27.49

|old=28

|exit=27

|road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|359|dir1=north|name1=Okolona Road|city1=Milligan College|city2=Unicoi}}

|notes=I-26 mile 26.96

}}

{{TNint|old

|county=Washington

|cspan=7

|mile=30.58

|old=31

|exit=24

|road={{jct|state=TN|US|321|SR|67|city1=Elizabethton}}

|notes=I-26 mile 23.87

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=31.50

|mile2=31.55

|old=32

|exit=23

|road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|91|name1=Market Street, Main Street}}

|notes=I-26 miles 22.95-22.90

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=32.05

|mile2=32.12

|old=33

|exit=22

|road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|400|name1=Unaka Avenue, Watauga Avenue}}

|notes=I-26 miles 22.40-22.33

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=34.24

|old=35

|exit=20

|type=concur

|road={{jct|state=TN|US|11E|US|19W|dir2=north|name2=North Roan Street, SR 34}}

|notes=Northern end of US 19W concurrency; signed as exits 20A (south) and 20B (north) westbound; I-26 mile 20.21

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=35.40

|old=36

|exit=19

|road={{jct|state=TN|SR|381|name1=North State of Franklin Road|city1=Bristol}}

|notes=I-26 mile 19.05

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=37.75

|old=38

|exit=17

|road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|354|name1=Boones Creek Road|city1=Jonesborough}}

|notes=I-26 mile 16.70

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=41.34

|old=42

|exit=13

|location=Gray

|road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|75|name1=Suncrest Drive, Bobby Hicks Highway|city1=Gray}}

|notes=I-26 mile 13.11

}}

{{TNint|old

|county1=Washington

|county2=Sullivan

|cspan=1

|location=Kingsport

|lspan=8

|mile=44.59

|old=45

|exit=10

|road=Eastern Star Road

|notes=I-26 mile 9.86

}}

{{TNint|old

|county=Sullivan

|cspan=7

|mile=45.70

|mile2=46.20

|old=46

|exit=8

|road={{jct|state=TN|I|81|city1=Knoxville|city2=Bristol}}

|notes=Signed as exits 8A (south) and 8B (north); I-26 miles 8.75-8.25

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=48.11

|old=49

|exit=6

|road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|347|name1=Rock Springs Road}}

|notes=I-26 mile 6.34

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=50.00

|mile2=50.41

|old=51

|exit=4

|road={{jct|state=TN|SR|93|name1=John B. Dennis Highway|to2=to|Sec|126|name2=Wilcox Drive}}

|notes=Signed as exits 4A (south) and 4B (north) eastbound; I-26 mile 4.45-4.04

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=50.95

|old=52

|exit=3

|road=Meadowview Parkway

|notes=I-26 mile 3.50

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=54.45

|type=concur

|old=55

|exit=1

|road={{jct|state=TN|I|26|SR|137|dir1=ends|dir2=begins|US|11W|name3=West Stone Drive, SR 1}}

|notes=Western terminus of I-26; northern end of I-26 concurrency; southern terminus of SR 137; southern end of SR 137 concurrency

}}

{{TNint|old

|lspan=2

|mspan=2

|mile=56.85

|mile2=57.48

|old=57

|exit=—

|road={{jct|Sec|36|dir1=south|name1=Lynn Garden Drive|state=TN|location1=Downtown Kingsport}}

|notes=Northbound left entrance extends into Virginia; left exit southbound

}}

{{TNint|old

|mile=none

|type=concur

|road={{jct|state=VA|US|23|dir1=north|city1=Gate City}}
{{jct|state=TN|SR|137|dir1=ends}}

|notes=Continuation into Virginia; northern terminus of SR 137; northern end of SR 137 concurrency

}}

{{jctbtm|old|keys=concur}}

• {{Portal-inline|United States}}
• {{Portal-inline|U.S. Roads}}
• Special routes of U.S. Route 23

{{Reflist}}

{{Attached KML}}

• {{commons category-inline|U.S. Route 23 in Tennessee}}
• {{commons category-inline|Tennessee State Route 137}}

{{State detail page browse|type=US|route=23|state=Tennessee|statebefore=North Carolina|stateafter=Virginia}}

{{State detail page browse|type=I|route=26|state=Tennessee|stateafter=North Carolina}}

Category:Transportation in Unicoi County, Tennessee

Category:Transportation in Carter County, Tennessee

Category:Transportation in Washington County, Tennessee

Category:Transportation in Sullivan County, Tennessee

Category:Freeways in Tennessee

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