KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The main traffic problem Thursday morning was Hall of Fame Drive near I-40 where motorists waiting to get off on I-40 backed up for several miles on I-40 westbound.

All in all, day one of a 14 month project was fairly smooth. TDOT officials watched I-40 and I-640 closely for problems.

Steven Borden with TDOT says, "Those were areas that really wanted to watch closely obviously with the different patterns to see how that would flow, overall, it did really well."

But they didn't predict a traffic signal malfunction at the Hall of Fame Summit Hill intersection.

TDOT's Travis Brickey says, "The signal turned red and never went to another color."

This created a ripple effect down to Magnolia and onto the I-40 off-ramp causing a three-mile backup.

Brickey says, "Once we figured out what was going on, KPD jumped in and did a really good job of getting traffic moving again."

TDOT officials predict a slight backup on the westbound Hall of Fame exit in the future.

Brickey says, "We'll look at that and we'll watch that very, very closely and adjust signal timing if needed...We really want a good couple of days and see how they're running and adjust them on that rather than have a knee jerk reaction and make it worse the next day."

Now, TDOT crews promise to monitor traffic volumes and counts and make adjustments accordingly. They say they will even add additional signs to help motorists. Also today, i hit the road on i-640 to see if your commute is longer with the 30-thousand extra vehicles using that road.

A little work on some traffic lights, and things are getting better, after that light at Summit Hill and Hall of Fame malfunctioned during the morning commute.

Borden says, "Some of the signal times we are already looking at to try to better enhance the flow on Hall of Fame."

This, just less than a day after I-40 through downtown at Hall of Fame and James White Parkway shuts down for major construction. But so far, so good on the main alternate route around town.

Borden says, "Traffic patterns seem to move really well around 640, 275 around the detour route."

Reaction from motorists coming in and out of downtown on Hall of Fame is mixed.

Driver Richard Wright says, "I like it, I think we need it, is it worth it? It's worth it, I think yeah."

Motorist Lynn Whitaker says, "I've lived here only three years, so if it makes it better then it makes it better. I've got GPS!"

The new changes can be challenging for some out-of-towners.

Matt Waddell missed the 640 Detour, and says, "We're headed to Cookeville"

So, for day one? Not too bad.

Brickey says, "People, you know, they will adjust their schedule, and it will get better."