I-69 in TN

[sparker]

At the moment there is one alternative routing and that is O4F, where it will traverse Ripley, TN on the east instead of the west to avoid a refuge.

Regardless of the presence of that one Ripley exception to the "red line" route, the entire SIU seems to exist as a "can" that gets kicked down the road at every juncture.  With a planned corridor that essentially hugs US 51 on, depending upon whether the option above is exercised, either side without venturing too far from the existing US 51 alignment, it appears that the string of towns from Memphis north to I-155 wants to have their cake and eat it too -- they want a reasonably close-in routing to effectively retain as much as possible of the roadside business existing along the present highway -- but just far enough away so as not to cut a swath through the towns' residential districts.  Of course, this is what most towns in their situation would prefer -- and a routing well to the east of US 51 certainly wouldn't come close to satisfying that option's prerogatives.  I've driven US 51 several times over the last 30 years, and the one thing that characterizes the nature of that particular beast is endless swampland, bayous, creekbeds, and other natural features that tend to confound planners.   But politics demand that the towns not be excluded from plans; I-69 needs to be a local server as well as a developmental location rather than simply a long-distance corridor.  While a more "dry land" option farther east might yield a more efficient corridor and/or simpler construction -- it is one whose primary interest is long-distance travel with limited local serviceability.   Hence the continued focus on those corridor concepts adjacent to the existing route; while ostensibly more costly in terms of construction and continued maintenance, it functions as both a long-distance and local server. 

[edwaleni]

FWIW: They used to have the same kind of grid layout for SIU 9, but TDOT has removed the entire library from their site.

I did see a copy of it once upon a time and I think there was 1 section that was getting people riled up.

But the SIU 8 layout for the turn at Millington has no accommodation for a future SIU 9 coming up from the south. no bridges, no ghost ramping.

Makes me wonder if SIU 9 will ever happen.

[abqtraveler]

FWIW: They used to have the same kind of grid layout for SIU 9, but TDOT has removed the entire library from their site.

I did see a copy of it once upon a time and I think there was 1 section that was getting people riled up.

But the SIU 8 layout for the turn at Millington has no accommodation for a future SIU 9 coming up from the south. no bridges, no ghost ramping.

Makes me wonder if SIU 9 will ever happen.

I noticed that as well. The big fight over that 9-mile stretch between TN-300 and US-51 at I-269 is a section of the highway will go right through a superfund site. If there was a section of I-69 that gets killed in TN, I would put my money on that segment, since no one wants to pay the bill for the environmental cleanup that has to happen before construction can begin.

[edwaleni]

FWIW: They used to have the same kind of grid layout for SIU 9, but TDOT has removed the entire library from their site.

I did see a copy of it once upon a time and I think there was 1 section that was getting people riled up.

But the SIU 8 layout for the turn at Millington has no accommodation for a future SIU 9 coming up from the south. no bridges, no ghost ramping.

Makes me wonder if SIU 9 will ever happen.


I noticed that as well. The big fight over that 9-mile stretch between TN-300 and US-51 at I-269 is a section of the highway will go right through a superfund site. If there was a section of I-69 that gets killed in TN, I would put my money on that segment, since no one wants to pay the bill for the environmental cleanup that has to happen before construction can begin.

I checked the EPA and there is no Superfund site listed in this area. Was there a name for it?

[vdeane]

If SIU 9 were cancelled, where would I-69 go?  I-269 seems like way out of the way to divert it.

[ilpt4u]

If SIU 9 were cancelled, where would I-69 go?  I-269 seems like way out of the way to divert it.

Could run it over the Mississippi on current TN/MO I-155 and Multiplex with I-55 to Memphis. Dyersburg-Milington could then be part of an oddly shaped, extended I-269

[sparker]

If SIU 9 were cancelled, where would I-69 go?  I-269 seems like way out of the way to divert it.

Could run it over the Mississippi on current TN/MO I-155 and Multiplex with I-55 to Memphis. Dyersburg-Milington could then be part of an oddly shaped, extended I-269

Now that segment would be a likely candidate for moving east -- a N-S connector between I-40 and TN 385 (I-269) somewhere in the vicinity of TN 204 and/or TN 14.  Essentially gives the towns north of Millington the close-in freeway access they want, and puts the corridor well away from the problem zone.  And since the maps published with the plans (see red line in previous posts) shows the selected I-69 route segueing right onto TN 385, such a routing option might be at least possible. 

[chays]

Is there a estimated time of completion for the Union City bypass? I saw some progress in some earlier photos from the west side, but the north side still was unstarted.

[abqtraveler]

Is there a estimated time of completion for the Union City bypass? I saw some progress in some earlier photos from the west side, but the north side still was unstarted.

Construction began on the northern section of the Union City Bypass last year. There is a Google Street Map view along US-51 showing construction where I-69 will tie into the existing freeway north of Union City. Last I read, TDOT plans to open the Union City Bypass in 2022. No word on when contracts to build the two segments around Troy will be let.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4649778,-88.9773323,3a,75y,234.7h,80.26t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYSp2w10jQxNWeXxaV_pm4w!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DYSp2w10jQxNWeXxaV_pm4w%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D115.65302%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

[GreenLanternCorps]

Is there a estimated time of completion for the Union City bypass? I saw some progress in some earlier photos from the west side, but the north side still was unstarted.

Construction began on the northern section of the Union City Bypass last year. There is a Google Street Map view along US-51 showing construction where I-69 will tie into the existing freeway north of Union City. Last I read, TDOT plans to open the Union City Bypass in 2022. No word on when contracts to build the two segments around Troy will be let.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4649778,-88.9773323,3a,75y,234.7h,80.26t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYSp2w10jQxNWeXxaV_pm4w!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DYSp2w10jQxNWeXxaV_pm4w%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D115.65302%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

One other view of the construction, posted below, is from about a year ago as seen from Southbound TN 21 just North of the future interchange with I-69.  It is interesting to note that TN 21 is no longer showing as closed in Google maps traffic, which I hope means that a least the bridges over TN-21 are completed now.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.472043,-89.0384222,3a,20.3y,194.55h,90.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sh86hRGdEJ-5IpCfDMd3tuQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

[ThatRandomOshawott]

I went through Union City on US 51 a little over a month ago. The overpass is in place for the US 51 interchange SW of Union City, and the ramps of the interchange have been paved.

[Brooks]

This project is moving at a snail's pace. Hardly any progress over the past few years. I'd bet my paycheck that TDOT is (at least slightly) doing this to spite West TN.

[GreenLanternCorps]

This project is moving at a snail's pace. Hardly any progress over the past few years. I'd bet my paycheck that TDOT is (at least slightly) doing this to spite West TN.

Actually since construction only re-started in late 2017 after a 6 year hiatus, I think they are making good progress.

The Union City Bypass portion should be done next year and the Troy Bypass portion should be starting at the same time.

[The Ghostbuster]

Google Maps should update its Satellite Map of the Union City area. Construction of the Union City bypass seems to only go from just north of Allie Campbell Road to an electrical substation just north of Perry Browder Road west of TN 21. Has construction started or is construction underway south and/or east of these points?

[GreenLanternCorps]

Google Maps should update its Satellite Map of the Union City area. Construction of the Union City bypass seems to only go from just north of Allie Campbell Road to an electrical substation just north of Perry Browder Road west of TN 21. Has construction started or is construction underway south and/or east of these points?

Yes, a few posts up thread both Abqtraveler and myself have links to construction of the northern interchange with US 51 and the interchange with TN 21.  Further back in the thread are additional photos.

[Stephane Dumas]

Google Maps should update its Satellite Map of the Union City area. Construction of the Union City bypass seems to only go from just north of Allie Campbell Road to an electrical substation just north of Perry Browder Road west of TN 21. Has construction started or is construction underway south and/or east of these points?

I founded by luck more recent satellite shots of Union City area.
https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=a33d0b6f-d851-4014-ba5b-e3415108560f&cp=36.434776~-89.046702&lvl=13&style=a&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027
https://satellites.pro/USA_map#36.443346,-89.033718,13

[mgk920]

I'm kind of surprised that TDOT didn't upgrade and use the existing US 51 across the north side of Union City.  It just strikes me as being a duplicative waste.  Also, what are the current plans, if there are any, for tying the TN 22 freeway into this from the southeast?

Mike

[abqtraveler]

I'm kind of surprised that TDOT didn't upgrade and use the existing US 51 across the north side of Union City.  It just strikes me as being a duplicative waste.  Also, what are the current plans, if there are any, for tying the TN 22 freeway into this from the southeast?

Mike

The section of US-51 approaching Union city from the south is a commercial strip. The section from the Reelfoot Ave that goes around Union City probably has enough room to support and upgrade to interstate standards, but the real problem would be how to tie in a bypass of the commercial strip further south into the existing alignment. There aren't a whole lot of good options to construct an interchange to connect a new bypass to the existing road that loops around Union City, since there's quite a bit of development on either side of 51 along that loop.  Thus the decision was made to build I-69 on a new alignment further out to minimize impacts to the developed areas in and around Union City.

[mgk920]

I'm kind of surprised that TDOT didn't upgrade and use the existing US 51 across the north side of Union City.  It just strikes me as being a duplicative waste.  Also, what are the current plans, if there are any, for tying the TN 22 freeway into this from the southeast?

Mike

The section of US-51 approaching Union city from the south is a commercial strip. The section from the Reelfoot Ave that goes around Union City probably has enough room to support and upgrade to interstate standards, but the real problem would be how to tie in a bypass of the commercial strip further south into the existing alignment. There aren't a whole lot of good options to construct an interchange to connect a new bypass to the existing road that loops around Union City, since there's quite a bit of development on either side of 51 along that loop.  Thus the decision was made to build I-69 on a new alignment further out to minimize impacts to the developed areas in and around Union City.

I wasn't concerned about the north-south section of US 51 on the west side of Union City, only the east-west part on the north side.  It looks to me like there was room for a crossover curve from the under construction north-south part of I-69 on the west side and the current east-west US 51 on the north side, along with space for an interchange to tie it in there with the north-south US 51 commercial strip and a few other area roadways on the west and northwest side.

Also, I was wondering how the TN 22 freeway southeast of Union City will ultimately tie into I-69 as it is now being built.

Mike

[The Ghostbuster]

The TN 22 freeway is planned to become Interstate 169, but that is probably a good ways off. If it does become 169, I would terminate it at the interchange where US 45E becomes TN 43.

[sparker]

The TN 22 freeway is planned to become Interstate 169, but that is probably a good ways off. If it does become 169, I would terminate it at the interchange where US 45E becomes TN 43.

Heard rumors about that freeway upgrade around 15 years ago as access to UTM, but haven't heard any further peep about it for well over a decade.  I'd guess one would simply have to peruse the I-69/TN 22 interchange plans to determine if the proposal remains active; free-flowing, there's a chance of yes, but anything else (DDI, SPUI, even roundabout) would likely indicate otherwise.

[sprjus4]

The TN 22 freeway is planned to become Interstate 169, but that is probably a good ways off. If it does become 169, I would terminate it at the interchange where US 45E becomes TN 43.

Is the TN-22 freeway getting extended north to connect to the new I-69 alignment?

Otherwise, it wouldn't touch I-69.

[Stephane Dumas]

The TN 22 freeway is planned to become Interstate 169, but that is probably a good ways off. If it does become 169, I would terminate it at the interchange where US 45E becomes TN 43.

Is the TN-22 freeway getting extended north to connect to the new I-69 alignment?

Otherwise, it wouldn't touch I-69.

By checking the map, a gap of US-51 between TN-22 and I-69 is already freeway grade, I guess the cheapest option is reconfigurating to get TN-22 as the main throughfare.
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.45377,-88.98814&z=14&t=M

[GreenLanternCorps]

Google Maps should update its Satellite Map of the Union City area. Construction of the Union City bypass seems to only go from just north of Allie Campbell Road to an electrical substation just north of Perry Browder Road west of TN 21. Has construction started or is construction underway south and/or east of these points?

I founded by luck more recent satellite shots of Union City area.
https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=a33d0b6f-d851-4014-ba5b-e3415108560f&cp=36.434776~-89.046702&lvl=13&style=a&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027
https://satellites.pro/USA_map#36.443346,-89.033718,13

The Bing image is a nice overhead shot of the construction on both the US 51 and TN 21 interchanges.  However the Satellites Pro image is not showing me any construction at all.

[sparker]

The TN 22 freeway is planned to become Interstate 169, but that is probably a good ways off. If it does become 169, I would terminate it at the interchange where US 45E becomes TN 43.

Is the TN-22 freeway getting extended north to connect to the new I-69 alignment?

Otherwise, it wouldn't touch I-69.

By checking the map, a gap of US-51 between TN-22 and I-69 is already freeway grade, I guess the cheapest option is reconfigurating to get TN-22 as the main throughfare.
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=36.45377,-88.98814&z=14&t=M

Google Maps should update its Satellite Map of the Union City area. Construction of the Union City bypass seems to only go from just north of Allie Campbell Road to an electrical substation just north of Perry Browder Road west of TN 21. Has construction started or is construction underway south and/or east of these points?

I founded by luck more recent satellite shots of Union City area.
https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=a33d0b6f-d851-4014-ba5b-e3415108560f&cp=36.434776~-89.046702&lvl=13&style=a&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027
https://satellites.pro/USA_map#36.443346,-89.033718,13

The Bing image is a nice overhead shot of the construction on both the US 51 and TN 21 interchanges.  However the Satellites Pro image is not showing me any construction at all.

Unless either (a) the TN 22 freeway is extended north to the new I-69 alignment or (b) the present interchange with US 51 is reconfigured as free-flow for WB22>NB51 and SB51>EB22, the concept of redesignation of TN 22 as an Interstate spur is right out the window.  And something tells me, with the slow pace of mainline I-69 development in the area, that such a TN 22 connection is well down the priority list at this time.