Interstate 175 (Kentucky–Tennessee)

Interstate 175 (I-175) was a proposed Interstate highway to relieve traffic along the Interstate 75 corridor. House Report 107-108 in the US Representatives report, details the proposed spending of the US Department of Transportation for FY2002, which includes $2,400,000 for the Interstate 175 corridor. This includes the feasibility and the planning study.

This road would start at Interstate 75 in Lexington, Kentucky to Interstate 75 in Chattanooga, Tennessee (shortening the north–south route), bypassing Knoxville. This highly impractical route (if ever built) would be expensive, since the proposed route passes through much mountainous terrain. Tunnels would be needed to go underneath several high mountain ridges. The proposed highway would cost in excess of $3,000,000,000. Despite having an odd prefix, this route will be more of a loop than a spur as most odd prefixes for 3-digit interstate routes imply a spur away from the highway.

The Interstate 175 designation may not last for long if Interstate 59 employs this segment in the future for extension.

References

1. House Rpt.107-108 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2002. Department of Transportation and Related Agencies. 2 May 2002 [1].
2. Interstate 175. Kentucky Roads. 7 December 2001 [2].