New Road Connector Now Open to Help with Pigeon Forge Traffic
On Thursday, March 28, the new Jake Thomas Connector finally opened to through traffic in Pigeon Forge, TN! Construction on this multi-million dollar road project began in April 2022 and is now open to give visitors and locals a more direct route between the Pigeon Forge Parkway and Veterans Blvd. Keep reading to find out more about the new Jake Thomas Connector and how it can help you avoid Pigeon Forge traffic.
What Is the New Road Connector in Pigeon Forge?
The new Jake Thomas Connector is a two-mile stretch of road that connects Jake Thomas Road to Veterans Blvd in Pigeon Forge. You can turn onto Jake Thomas Road from the main Parkway or Teaster Lane. The intersection of Jake Thomas Road and Teaster Lane is the official start of the Jake Thomas Connector. Traveling from Teaster Lane, the Jake Thomas Connector is a five-lane road with three lanes heading toward Veterans Blvd and two lanes heading toward the Parkway. At the entrance to The Ripken Experience, the road then becomes a five-lane road with two lanes in each direction and a center turn lane between them. The road ends at an intersection with Veterans Blvd.
How Will It Help Reduce Pigeon Forge Traffic?
The Jake Thomas Connector project was designed to help reduce Pigeon Forge traffic. This new road connector serves as a direct connection between the Pigeon Forge Parkway and Veterans Blvd, both of which are high-traffic roads in Pigeon Forge. The Jake Thomas Connector will divert some of the traffic from these roads and their intersections to improve the flow of Pigeon Forge traffic and spread it out among more routes. Additionally, since the Jake Thomas Connector has only two intersections, traffic will move much more smoothly along this route, helping you get from one part of Pigeon Forge to the other with fewer stops.
What Can Be Reached by the Jake Thomas Connector?
The Jake Thomas Connector travels between an intersection with Teaster Lane and an intersection with Veterans Blvd. At the first intersection is the LeConte Center and the very popular The Island in Pigeon Forge. Within just a few miles along both Teaster Lane and the main Parkway are a number of shops, restaurants, and attractions that you can easily reach. Along Jake Thomas Road approximately half a mile from Teaster Lane you’ll find the entrance to The Ripken Experience. At the end of the two-mile road, you’ll reach an intersection with Veterans Blvd. From this intersection you can continue straight to arrive at Dollywood’s resorts, or turn right onto Veterans Blvd to find the entrance to Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Nearby you can also find various restaurants, lodging, and fun activities. Veterans Blvd can be taken north to reach all the things to do in Sevierville or south to return to Pigeon Forge.
More Ways to Avoid Pigeon Forge Traffic
The new Jake Thomas Connector is a great route to take to avoid Pigeon Forge traffic along the main Parkway. If you’re interested in learning more ways to steer clear of traffic while you’re in town, take a look at these tips on how to avoid traffic in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg so you can spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying everything the area has to offer!
