I-69 in TN

[X99]

Is I-69 signed north of Memphis anywhere? There is a segment of US 51 on Google Maps that shows up with I-69 shields.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that. I-69 is signed on the segment of US 51 at the TN-183 interchange, BETWEEN the ramp sets, and nowhere else in the area. At the zoom level where only Interstates and in-development Interstate corridors (like US 70/I-42) show up, the segment is so small it doesn't exist.

I just looked at that section on Google Maps and could not find the I-69 signs.

Exact location

[triplemultiplex]

I wouldn't anticipate any I-69 shields in TN until the world's slowest construction project is finally done in Union City.
Seriously, they've been going at that thing for almost a decade already and it's still years away from completion. 

That project continues to disappoint me.  It's ridiculous how far out of town they are building it and how much existing freeway or upgradeable four lane it is bypassing.  The money and time wasted could've been used elsewhere in the corridor.  I don't get it.  Far, far more practical to have upgraded the existing bypass on the north side of Union City, then gone new-terrain where it curves south to meet the bypass they are actually building.  I posted a map somewhere in this thread once.

Ending my rant, they'll probably sign it from I-155 north to where the freeway ends just short of Kentucky.
From there, I bet it's another decade at least of an I-69 Breezewood in South Fulton.

[edwaleni]

Is I-69 signed north of Memphis anywhere? There is a segment of US 51 on Google Maps that shows up with I-69 shields.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that. I-69 is signed on the segment of US 51 at the TN-183 interchange, BETWEEN the ramp sets, and nowhere else in the area. At the zoom level where only Interstates and in-development Interstate corridors (like US 70/I-42) show up, the segment is so small it doesn't exist.

I just looked at that section on Google Maps and could not find the I-69 signs.

Exact location

There may be some there today, but on my Google Maps view which is from 2016, there are no I-69 shields along the road here or for the exits.  Today Google says "I-69" on the road script, just like they have the shields on the maps for only the road between the ramps. But in 2016, there were no roadside signs with the I-69 shield.

[X99]

Is I-69 signed north of Memphis anywhere? There is a segment of US 51 on Google Maps that shows up with I-69 shields.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that. I-69 is signed on the segment of US 51 at the TN-183 interchange, BETWEEN the ramp sets, and nowhere else in the area. At the zoom level where only Interstates and in-development Interstate corridors (like US 70/I-42) show up, the segment is so small it doesn't exist.

I just looked at that section on Google Maps and could not find the I-69 signs.

Exact location

There may be some there today, but on my Google Maps view which is from 2016, there are no I-69 shields along the road here or for the exits.  Today Google says "I-69" on the road script, just like they have the shields on the maps for only the road between the ramps. But in 2016, there were no roadside signs with the I-69 shield.

Sorry, I worded it wrong. The I-69 shields are not present in real life, but the segment in Google Maps is labeled as I-69.

[abqtraveler]

Is I-69 signed north of Memphis anywhere? There is a segment of US 51 on Google Maps that shows up with I-69 shields.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that. I-69 is signed on the segment of US 51 at the TN-183 interchange, BETWEEN the ramp sets, and nowhere else in the area. At the zoom level where only Interstates and in-development Interstate corridors (like US 70/I-42) show up, the segment is so small it doesn't exist.

The only portion of I-69 that has been officially approved by the FHWA and AASHTO for signing in TN is along I-55, I-240, and I-40 from the the MS state line to the I-40/TN-300 interchange, but TDOT has not yet erected I-69 signage along this section (even through the approval for signing occurred back in 2009).  Not sure how TDOT will handle the designations on the Troy and Union City bypasses when they open. Logically, they would simply sign them as I-69, and continue the I-69 designation along the US-51 freeway from Troy to the current end of I-155 outside of Dyersburg.

I just looked at that section on Google Maps and could not find the I-69 signs.

Exact location

There may be some there today, but on my Google Maps view which is from 2016, there are no I-69 shields along the road here or for the exits.  Today Google says "I-69" on the road script, just like they have the shields on the maps for only the road between the ramps. But in 2016, there were no roadside signs with the I-69 shield.

[royo6022]

Well it seems I have come to this thread a little late.... I've been so caught up in doing research on I 69 in Indiana and Kentucky that I just now have moved into my research of the Tennessee portion. And I have to say, it seems like they have really turned this whole project into a pain in the butt for everyone.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Thanks for the welcome guys. It is good to finally see progress being made after the project being stalled for, well, years. Now our infamous "road to nowhere" can soon be completed (at least locally) and hopefully help put this area on the map, so to speak.

Construction is now being done in pretty much my backyard, so if anyone had interests or wants to see progress I will be happy to post more pictures, if you have a specific area feel free to ask.  The landscape here has changed quite a lot in the past couple of months, looking forward to seeing this completed!

If you are taking requests, would mind getting cureent photos of the section from US 51 on the South side of Union City to TN 22?  The photos on Google Earth at the future I-69 interchange are from October of 2016, the location of the bridge carrying TN 184 over the freeway predates construction (2012).   I posted a drone video I found a while back, but it was from the fall of 2017 IIRC...

[TNObion]

I was actually through that part of town today, and snapped a couple of pics. Construction has slowed up a bit due to wet weather, but still coming along compared to what we have been used to...

https://imgur.com/YRIgpZT

(south toward troy on 51)

https://imgur.com/P9xceKl

(northbound on 51)

https://imgur.com/3rx5w2L

(west main at Hwy 22)

https://imgur.com/q5tQiSd

(At 22 intersection)

[GreenLanternCorps]

I was actually through that part of town today, and snapped a couple of pics. Construction has slowed up a bit due to wet weather, but still coming along compared to what we have been used to...

https://imgur.com/YRIgpZT

(south toward troy on 51)

https://imgur.com/P9xceKl

(northbound on 51)

https://imgur.com/3rx5w2L

(west main at Hwy 22)

https://imgur.com/q5tQiSd

(At 22 intersection)

Thanks!  So the portion on the South end of Union City appears to be completed except for paving and signing, correct?

So the section South of Union

[sprjus4]

New Street View imagery of construction in the Union City area as of August 2019.

I-69 / US-51 southern junction - https://www.google.com/maps/@36.3953275,-89.0961041,3a,75y,57.18h,76.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szt4e9GFbvUevrw4kmzc8vA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
I-69 / TN-184 junction - https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4166187,-89.0832617,3a,49y,281.44h,84.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5geRe0Wh_Jwj6Th14drAvA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
I-69 / US-51 northern junction - https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4651452,-88.9770518,3a,49.8y,265.66h,87.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjrNNX_d84Dtu7MqzVoO3ow!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

[Great Lakes Roads]

New Street View imagery of construction in the Union City area as of August 2019.

I-69 / US-51 southern junction - https://www.google.com/maps/@36.3953275,-89.0961041,3a,75y,57.18h,76.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1szt4e9GFbvUevrw4kmzc8vA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
I-69 / TN-184 junction - https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4166187,-89.0832617,3a,49y,281.44h,84.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5geRe0Wh_Jwj6Th14drAvA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
I-69 / US-51 northern junction - https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4651452,-88.9770518,3a,49.8y,265.66h,87.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjrNNX_d84Dtu7MqzVoO3ow!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

Future interchange with TN 21:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4720913,-89.0384437,3a,15y,183.77h,91.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shdsGtTJYDCc4eHG7jQc5SQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

ROW clearing west of Bethlehem Rd:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4664666,-89.0218455,3a,75y,285.56h,92.59t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ss79JpquHyCFJW-VWW5E6ng!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

[edwaleni]

Section Line Road where I-69 will cross over north of Union City.

Here is the centerline GPS marker.



Across the road (looking east) the farmer did not plant any corn anticipating it would be used.

[edwaleni]

Looking west from Claude Tucker Road.

Farmer did not plant on the ROW this year anticipating the start of excavation.

[aboges26]

Did the farmers not plant anything because it is not their land anymore and the DOT has bought it already?

[edwaleni]

Did the farmers not plant anything because it is not their land anymore and the DOT has bought it already?

Depends on the DOT involved.

Most states will allow farming to continue on ROW's they have acquired but not funded for construction.

As for the corn farmer, he allowed space for surveyors, soil samplers and excavation trailers to come in, thinking his corn would harvest before they turned over the dirt.

As for the guy across the road, he simply let it go fallow. He didn't want to finance a planting with the risk of losing some of it.

Most DOT's will give the farmer a notice of when they plan to begin excavation so they can plan their planting seasons.

In some other states, DOT's strictly control what happens on those ROW's even when construction is not funded. I have seen some ROW's sit fallow and untouched for 40+ years.

[AcE_Wolf_287]

I'm Confused where I-69 is going to go north of I-40 and its Current segment in Memphis, it ends at US 51 but it either goes through a Airport, Big Warehouse, or through a neighborhood unless they upgrade US 51 (which won't work)

[sparker]

I'm Confused where I-69 is going to go north of I-40 and its Current segment in Memphis, it ends at US 51 but it either goes through a Airport, Big Warehouse, or through a neighborhood unless they upgrade US 51 (which won't work)

Existing plans call for I-69 to use the TN 300 "stub" extending NW from I-40 to US 51, cross US 51 and immediately turn north to parallel that highway northward.  Local posters should know whether any ROW has actually been reserved or acquired at least as far north as TN 385 (future I-269).  IIRC, from that point north to Dyersburg the actual I-69 alignment has yet to be identified. 

[AcE_Wolf_287]

I'm Confused where I-69 is going to go north of I-40 and its Current segment in Memphis, it ends at US 51 but it either goes through a Airport, Big Warehouse, or through a neighborhood unless they upgrade US 51 (which won't work)

Existing plans call for I-69 to use the TN 300 "stub" extending NW from I-40 to US 51, cross US 51 and immediately turn north to parallel that highway northward.  Local posters should know whether any ROW has actually been reserved or acquired at least as far north as TN 385 (future I-269).  IIRC, from that point north to Dyersburg the actual I-69 alignment has yet to be identified.

i-69 is already in TN but its unsigned currently, i've seen maps where its along US 51, and i've seen some go through the airport and that Warehouse

[edwaleni]

I'm Confused where I-69 is going to go north of I-40 and its Current segment in Memphis, it ends at US 51 but it either goes through a Airport, Big Warehouse, or through a neighborhood unless they upgrade US 51 (which won't work)

Existing plans call for I-69 to use the TN 300 "stub" extending NW from I-40 to US 51, cross US 51 and immediately turn north to parallel that highway northward.  Local posters should know whether any ROW has actually been reserved or acquired at least as far north as TN 385 (future I-269).  IIRC, from that point north to Dyersburg the actual I-69 alignment has yet to be identified.

The route has been identified.



The exits have all been designed and TDOT is awaiting funding.

[sparker]

I'm Confused where I-69 is going to go north of I-40 and its Current segment in Memphis, it ends at US 51 but it either goes through a Airport, Big Warehouse, or through a neighborhood unless they upgrade US 51 (which won't work)

Existing plans call for I-69 to use the TN 300 "stub" extending NW from I-40 to US 51, cross US 51 and immediately turn north to parallel that highway northward.  Local posters should know whether any ROW has actually been reserved or acquired at least as far north as TN 385 (future I-269).  IIRC, from that point north to Dyersburg the actual I-69 alignment has yet to be identified.

The route has been identified.



The exits have all been designed and TDOT is awaiting funding.

Which itself has not been identified.  I take it the "red" route paralleling US 51 to the west is the adopted route; let's hope these plans won't simply sit on a shelf for the next 40 years!

[edwaleni]

https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/region-4/interstate-69-corridor.html

[MikeTheActuary]

I'm Confused where I-69 is going to go north of I-40 and its Current segment in Memphis, it ends at US 51 but it either goes through a Airport, Big Warehouse, or through a neighborhood unless they upgrade US 51 (which won't work)

Existing plans call for I-69 to use the TN 300 "stub" extending NW from I-40 to US 51, cross US 51 and immediately turn north to parallel that highway northward.  Local posters should know whether any ROW has actually been reserved or acquired at least as far north as TN 385 (future I-269).  IIRC, from that point north to Dyersburg the actual I-69 alignment has yet to be identified.

i-69 is already in TN but its unsigned currently, i've seen maps where its along US 51, and i've seen some go through the airport and that Warehouse

According to TDOT, I-69 does NOT exist in TN.   They have approval to sign the portions in Memphis, but they will not act upon it until the designation actually becomes useful.  (I asked.)

In terms of the alignment, it's my understanding that north of TN-385 (future I-269) the alignment is pretty much known.  Between TN 300 and TN 385, I'm not certain just how firm the future alignment is.

[abqtraveler]

I'm Confused where I-69 is going to go north of I-40 and its Current segment in Memphis, it ends at US 51 but it either goes through a Airport, Big Warehouse, or through a neighborhood unless they upgrade US 51 (which won't work)

Existing plans call for I-69 to use the TN 300 "stub" extending NW from I-40 to US 51, cross US 51 and immediately turn north to parallel that highway northward.  Local posters should know whether any ROW has actually been reserved or acquired at least as far north as TN 385 (future I-269).  IIRC, from that point north to Dyersburg the actual I-69 alignment has yet to be identified.

i-69 is already in TN but its unsigned currently, i've seen maps where its along US 51, and i've seen some go through the airport and that Warehouse

According to TDOT, I-69 does NOT exist in TN.   They have approval to sign the portions in Memphis, but they will not act upon it until the designation actually becomes useful.  (I asked.)

In terms of the alignment, it's my understanding that north of TN-385 (future I-269) the alignment is pretty much known.  Between TN 300 and TN 385, I'm not certain just how firm the future alignment is.

From what I've seen, a Draft EIS was published some years ago for the Millington-Dyersburg segment (SIU-8).  TDOT has been working to finish the Final EIS and get a ROD from the FHWA for the Dyersburg-Millington segment, but that has been held up due to lack of funding (the FHWA won't approve a Final EIS and issue a ROD until the state shows that funding has been secured for the project).  Aside from the Dyersburg-Fulton segment (SIU 7) that's already under construction, Tennessee has publicly stated that it will halt progress on the Dyersburg-Millington (SIU 8) and Millington to TN-300 (last part of SIU 9) sections until Congress commits funding for each. From what I recall, there are some ongoing issues about environmental remediation that needs to take place (and a lot of finger-pointing as to who's on the hook for that) along the proposed alignment between TN-300 and Millington before any construction can begin. Expect I-69 to be a giant cul-de-sac at Dyersburg for the foreseeable future.

[sparker]

I'm Confused where I-69 is going to go north of I-40 and its Current segment in Memphis, it ends at US 51 but it either goes through a Airport, Big Warehouse, or through a neighborhood unless they upgrade US 51 (which won't work)

Existing plans call for I-69 to use the TN 300 "stub" extending NW from I-40 to US 51, cross US 51 and immediately turn north to parallel that highway northward.  Local posters should know whether any ROW has actually been reserved or acquired at least as far north as TN 385 (future I-269).  IIRC, from that point north to Dyersburg the actual I-69 alignment has yet to be identified.

i-69 is already in TN but its unsigned currently, i've seen maps where its along US 51, and i've seen some go through the airport and that Warehouse

According to TDOT, I-69 does NOT exist in TN.   They have approval to sign the portions in Memphis, but they will not act upon it until the designation actually becomes useful.  (I asked.)

In terms of the alignment, it's my understanding that north of TN-385 (future I-269) the alignment is pretty much known.  Between TN 300 and TN 385, I'm not certain just how firm the future alignment is.

From what I've seen, a Draft EIS was published some years ago for the Millington-Dyersburg segment (SIU-8).  TDOT has been working to finish the Final EIS and get a ROD from the FHWA for the Dyersburg-Millington segment, but that has been held up due to lack of funding (the FHWA won't approve a Final EIS and issue a ROD until the state shows that funding has been secured for the project).  Aside from the Dyersburg-Fulton segment (SIU 7) that's already under construction, Tennessee has publicly stated that it will halt progress on the Dyersburg-Millington (SIU 8) and Millington to TN-300 (last part of SIU 9) sections until Congress commits funding for each. From what I recall, there are some ongoing issues about environmental remediation that needs to take place (and a lot of finger-pointing as to who's on the hook for that) along the proposed alignment between TN-300 and Millington before any construction can begin. Expect I-69 to be a giant cul-de-sac at Dyersburg for the foreseeable future.

I'm left to wonder if there are shelved plans for an alternate I-69 Memphis-Dyersburg alignment farther east away from the wetlands -- perhaps something extending from the NE corner of the I-269/TN 385 loop and paralleling TN 14 up to US 412 before using that route to get to US 51.  While that would, for all intents & purposes, divert I-69 away from central Memphis, it might go far to resolve issues along the existing planned corridor by simply circumventing them.  Seeing as how a new-terrain facility is being planned regardless of alignment, an eastern option might actually be fiscally expedient.

[edwaleni]

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.