NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It's been two years since the interchange project on Interstate 40 off of Donelson Pike began. As of Thursday, one part of that project has been completed.
The new on-ramp off of Donelson Pike has officially opened and is accessible through Exit 216. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) told New 2 that the project would be finalized in a few more years.
"There is going to be lots of signage in place to make sure they know about it," Region 3 TDOT Communications Officer, Erin Zeigler, said. "But this was the first part of this big, big project."
After years of construction and slowed traffic, one effort to decongest airport traffic is done. The on-ramp's current design is a trumpet design. However, by designing a new system of exits, TDOT said that their goal is to create a diamond interchange in a crisscross design over the interstate.
A TDOT representative said that the new shape would allow both directions of traffic to cross to opposite sides of the roadways, heading over the overpass and back to the original traffic pattern.
The next portion of the project will be in the fall, according to TDOT. Construction crews will set up beams under the bridge over the interstate, resulting in nighttime lane closures and rolling roadblocks.
"This was the first part of this big project to ease congestion not only on the interstate and the surrounding routes but also to the airport, which we know is growing and welcoming so many new people to Nashville each and every day," Zeigler said.
In May, TDOT announced a partnership with the Metro Nashville Airport Authority, offering a $6 million incentive to the contractor working on the site if they can complete the project ahead of schedule.
Ziegler told News 2 that the incentive has been working.
"Right now, the entire project with the diverging diamond and everything that goes along with it," Ziegler said. "That is scheduled to be completed by April 2027, so we are hoping we can accelerate this project to be done by 2026."
"We are supporting our partner, TDOT, in their efforts with this roadway project. We will have updates in the near future regarding BNA-executed roadway improvements."
Statement from BNA
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