The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is working with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) and Superior Construction to to expedite the completion of the Interstate 40 / State Route 255 (Donelson Pike) Interchange.
The airport authority has agreed to pay up to $6 million in incentives to Superior Construction if the project is completed a year ahead of schedule.
“I’m thankful for the support of our Board of Commissioners and the partnership we continue to build with TDOT,” said Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of MNAA to Fox 17. “As Nashville and the state of Tennessee continue to grow, we need to explore more creative ways to deliver outstanding service to the traveling public."
The existing I-40 interchange at Donelson Pike was built to provide access to a new airport terminal in the 1980s. Since then, Nashville International Airport (BNA) has been a major contributor to the rapid growth of the area, creating high volumes of both cargo- and traveler-related traffic.
Future developments, including the expansion of BNA, are expected to increase traffic volumes.
The project at the southeast of downtown Nashville involves relocation of the interchange and the existing state route. The newly constructed exit will be a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). The crisscross design of a DDI allows two directions of traffic to temporarily cross to opposite sides of the roadway to travel across the overpass, and then cross back and resume the original travel pattern.
The DDI uses concrete dividers, stop bars, traffic signals, and extensive signage to guide motorists through the interchange.
TDOT says reconstruction of the interchange will increase capacity, correct geometric deficiencies, and improve the overall operation of the interchange, providing efficient access to the airport, I-40, and other nearby businesses.
Completing the project ahead of schedule will improve the safety of the interchange and surrounding routes according to TDOT, and allow the airport to start the next phase of its expansion project sooner.
Work was originally expected for competition in 2027.
Source: Fox 17 News, Tennessee Department of Transportation
