Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and TDOT Commissioner John Schroer Celebrate Completion of State Route 840

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam joined Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, former Governor Don Sundquist, and former Governor Winfield Dunn in Williamson County today to mark the opening of the final section of State Route 840.

The new 14 mile section, from US 31 (Columbia Pike) in Franklin, TN to SR 46 (Pinewood Road) near Leiper’s Fork, is the final piece of the 78 mile route.

“This project will benefit citizens across Tennessee and the entire region by providing better access to dozens of communities and three interstates,” Haslam said. “This major improvement to our infrastructure will aid in our economic development efforts and will continue to make Tennessee an attractive location for business.”

Plans for SR 840 were included in the 1986 Better Roads Program, introduced by U.S. Senator and former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander, and subsequently passed by the Tennessee General Assembly.

“SR 840 becomes part of one the nation’s top-rated four-lane highway systems, one that has spread auto jobs to 85 of our 95 counties,” said Senator Alexander. “These 78 new miles of interstate-quality highway will be a magnet for jobs, providing new industrial sites as well as relieving congestion. Tennesseans built SR 840 with no federal dollars, no tolls and no debt—and our gas tax still is six cents below the national average. Governor Haslam and the many state and local leaders who have maintained this long-term, pay-as-you-go thinking deserve congratulations.”

Construction began on the first segment from Stewarts Ferry Pike to I-40 in Wilson County in 1991. Construction on the final 14 miles from SR 46 to US 31 in Williamson County began in early 2009.

“The final sections of SR 840 faced numerous challenges which brought about monumental changes within TDOT,” Commissioner Schroer said. “We were able to meet our goal of opening this highway before the end of the year and deliver a project that has the support of this community. I want to thank the hundreds of contract workers and TDOT employees who worked diligently to make this happen.”

A number of environmental protection measures were implemented on the last section of SR 840, including a taller controlled access fence to discourage wildlife from entering the roadway. Landscaping was installed at the Carter’s Creek Pike interchange, and native trees were planted at each stream crossing. Access roads were also constructed under two bridges for a future county park development.

TDOT recently added overhead Dynamic Message signs to Interstate 40 in Dickson and Wilson counties to provide motorists with real time traffic information. TDOT estimates the opening of SR 840 will save travelers valuable time by avoiding the congestion in downtown Nashville. Commercial vehicle traffic in the downtown area is also expected to decrease with today’s opening.

The final section of SR 840 in Williamson County was officially opened to traffic at 6:00pm this evening.