Tennessee Department of Transportation announces Fast Fix 8 Project for I-40 in Downtown Nashville

Expedited Work will Replace Eight Bridges during 13 Weekend Closures

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner announced today a major bridge rehabilitation project along Interstate 40 in downtown Nashville.

The “Fast Fix 8” project will use accelerated construction to replace eight bridges located on the west side of the south loop. The project will require 13 weekend closures of this stretch of I-40 between June 2015 and June 2016.

Built in 1968, the twin eastbound and westbound bridges that cross over Herman Street, Clinton Street, Jo Johnston Avenue, and Charlotte Avenue show advanced signs of deterioration and require near constant maintenance.

“These bridges are prime examples of aging infrastructure, and they are long overdue for major work,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “By using accelerated construction methods, we will greatly reduce the time a project like this would normally take and will ensure these bridges can continue safely carrying the some 140,000 vehicles that use this stretch of I-40 each day.”

The rehabilitation project will reconstruct the eight bridges using an innovative process known as Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). ABC speeds up construction and repair of highways and bridges by allowing short-term, total road or bridge closures to allow crews the space to do their jobs and the ability to work around the clock. This dramatically reduces the time to complete a project and the long-term inconvenience to motorists.

The Fast Fix 8 Project will require 13 weekend closures of I-40 between the I-65 split on the west side of downtown to the I-65 split on the south side of downtown. This is the area commonly referred to as the “South Loop.” During the interstate closures, all traffic will be detoured to the north and east of downtown. (See primary detour route below.) I-40 West traffic only will be able to exit at Demonbreun Street.

TDOT will provide as much advance notice as possible prior to every closure; however, much of the work is weather dependent. Final decisions will likely be made 2-3 days prior to a weekend closure.

Project information, including detour maps, will be available online at www.tn.gov/tdot/fastfix8/ .

The Fast Fix 8 Project was awarded to Kiewit Infrastructure Group for nearly $62 million and is expected to be complete by April 2016.