Overpass Expected to be Open by Thanksgiving Holiday
Franklin, TN – The Tennessee Department of Transportation has set a timeline for bridge construction along I-65 at State Route 248 (Peytonsville Road / Goose Creek Bypass), following an interstate crash that destroyed two bridges at the interchange.
Steel beams for the northernmost bridge are expected to be ready by October, allowing contract crews to set the beams the weekend of October 3rd-5th.
Once the beams are in place, concrete will be poured for the bridge deck, allowing traffic to resume over I-65 by November 27th.
The new bridge will replace the old bridge, which was demolished after a tanker truck fire engulfed the portion of the bridge over the southbound lanes of I-65 on Friday, August 15th.
The newly built, southernmost bridge was also heavily damaged in the fire. Demolition has been set for the weekend of September 19th-21st. Reconstruction of the southernmost bridge will likely begin in the spring of 2015.
The tentative work schedule is dependent on weather and the availability of materials. Lane closures will be necessary for portions of the work. Details of those lane closures will be released at a later time.
TDOT continues to assess the damage and determine costs associated with the tanker truck incident. On Wednesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the immediate availability of $1 million in emergency relief funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help cover the costs of repairing the bridges. Contractors LoJac and Brown Builders have also been instrumental in getting the project back on track.
The project, which consists of widening I-65, interchange modifications, and widening State Route 248, was originally contracted for $46 million with a completion date of June 2016. It has not been determined if that completion date will be impacted by the additional work.
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 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.
The app provides up-to-the-minute customized traffic information and enables the user to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs, and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.
The TDOT SmartWay App is free and available for download in the Apple App Store and Play Store for Android.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
