Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Transportation crews will reduce Wilma Rudolph Boulevard (U.S. 79/State Route 13) to one lane for several nights this week for major construction work. The lane closures are necessary to begin demolition of the old bridges over the Red River. The closure periods are as follows:
- Tuesday December 7th through Friday December 10th, 2010, 7:00pm – 5:00am (each night)
*In the event of inclement weather, the lane closures will be rescheduled.
During the closures, crews will drill holes in the concrete piers of the old bridge in order to set explosive charges. This is just the first phase of the demolition process. In January, explosives will then be loaded into the holes and detonated at ground level to bring the bridge beams down. Police officers and flaggers will be on site to direct north and southbound traffic through the work zone. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and avoid the area if at all possible.
The Red River Bridge Replacement Project began in February 2010 and is expected to be complete by November 2011. The $6.7 million project is being funded through the Better Bridges Program. Through the Better Bridges Program TDOT will replace, repair or rehabilitate 200 state owned structurally deficient bridges in Tennessee by 2013.
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 your destination.
