Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will close a short section of Interstate 40 Westbound at the I-40/I-24 split just east of downtown Nashville the first weekend in January in order to make repairs to a bridge damaged when it was struck by an oversized vehicle.
Interstate 40 West will be closed at the I-40/I-24/I-65 junction from Saturday, Jan. 5, at 5 a.m. through Monday, Jan. 7, at 5 a.m.
Detours are listed as follows:
- Traffic will be routed onto I-24 West to I-65 South back to I-40 West.
- Motorists can also use I-440 West to I-65 North or I-40 West.
- Motorists can also use Briley Parkway North.
- Motorists traveling I-40 West from Knoxville to Memphis can also use SR 840.
In September, a tractor trailer hauling a large piece of equipment hit the I-24 East ramp bridge that crosses over the I-40 West ramp, cracking a bridge beam. During the closure, crews will straighten the damaged steel beam and bolt it to the bridge structure with new plates.
Information about the closure will be posted on overhead Digital Message Signs throughout the city. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and avoid the area if at all possible. Law enforcement officers will be on site in the work zone to provide traffic control as the work is being completed. TDOT asks drivers to use caution, reduce their speed and be alert to changing traffic conditions in work zones across the state.
For more information on TDOT construction project activity visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information or they can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel information or www.twitter.com/Nashville511 for traffic information in the Nashville area. Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly. Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for their destination.