UT began requesting a traffic light at the intersection of Neyland Drive and Lake Loudoun Boulevard from the City of Knoxville in 1977. In 1979 UT offered to pay the $5,000 required to have the light installed (the remainder of the $30,000 cost would come from state and federal funds). The city council voted in January 1979 to approve the $5,000 payment from UT and install the light. The light was installed in 1980.