Massive I-65 widening plan to ease congestion and provide a safer roadway
Ridesharers and drivers traveling in from Robertson and Sumner counties, as well as Kentucky, can expect orange construction barrels within the month as nearly 10 miles of Interstate 65 will be widened, improved and made safer, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
The planned widening will address congestion, improve safety and traffic operations and accommodate current and future traffic demands in a section of I-65 that has high traffic volumes, creating peak hour congestion that frequently results in delays and crashes, TDOT says.
The widening project will extend from near State Route 25 to near State Route 109 in Robertson County, TDOT says, and will include several improvements:
- One additional travel lane in each direction, for a total of six lanes
- Ten bridges replaced and widened
- Two overpasses replaced (Byrum Chapel Road, Highland Road)
- Two overpasses widened to three lanes (SR 25 and SR 52)
- Addition of 17 retaining walls
- Conversion of the northbound weigh station into truck parking
- Construction of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) facilities throughout the corridor. ITS technologies advance transportation safety and mobility and encompasses a broad range of wireless and traditional communications-based information and electronic technologies.
Construction will begin within the month and has a completion date of on or before December 2025. The project has financial incentives to finish early and penalties for any delays, according to TDOT.
“I-65 is a major north-to-south corridor serving many communities,” said Clay Bright, TDOT commissioner. “This work will address congestion, improve safety and traffic operations and accommodate current and future traffic demands.”
Every attempt will be made to have temporary lane closures and rolling roadblocks at night or on weekends, according to TDOT. More information on the construction schedule will be made available in the coming weeks.
Jones Bros., LLC, of Middle Tennessee is the contractor on the project, which is the largest in TDOT history, according to TDOT. Jones Bros. had the lowest bid at $160 million, surpassing the I-440 reconstruction project, which cost $152 million.