Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will close a three-mile section of I-24 near downtown Nashville this weekend for a major bridge rehabilitation project over Main and Woodland Streets. 

I-24 eastbound and westbound will be closed from the I-24/I-65 split north of downtown to the I-24/I-40 split east of downtown beginning Friday, at 9 p.m. The interstate will open no later than Monday, at 5 a.m. 

In addition, Thursday through Wednesday, June 6, there will be temporary lane closures on Main Street and Woodland Street, from South 5th Street to Interstate Drive, to perform bridge repairs. One lane will remain open in both directions.

All work is weather dependent.

This is the project’s fifth closure and workers will be removing deteriorated concrete from the bridge decks and setting pre-fabricated deck panels in place.  The repairs are part of an $8.7 million project to rehabilitate bridges built in 1961. The project will require the total closure of a section of I-24 for 13 weekends this spring and summer.  

On Saturday, the Korean Veterans Bridge will be closed to thru traffic beginning at 6 a.m. for the “Taste of Music City Festival,” which will take place between 5-9 p.m.  Suggested alternate detours to use while the Korean Veterans Bridge is closed are as follows:

• From the Central Business District of downtown, follow 2^nd Avenue South to Woodland Street, then Interstate Drive to Shelby Avenue.
• If traveling from East Nashville, follow Shelby Avenue to S 2^nd Street; turn right and proceed to Russell Street; turn left on Russell and turn right on South 1^st Street; then left on Woodland Street.

You can find more information about the “Taste of Music City” event by visiting their website, http://www.tasteofmusiccity.com/detour.html.

Interstate drivers passing through downtown Nashville will follow detour signs instructing them to take the west loop around downtown.  Project closures and detour maps are available at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/i24bridges/maps.shtml.  An East Nashville specific map, along with other maps to access downtown can also be found on this website.

TDOT will use its overhead Dynamic Message Signs to direct motorists around the closure. Drivers are advised to be alert and follow the posted directions. Law enforcement officers will be on site in the work zone to provide traffic control as the work is being completed. TDOT also 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 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.