Just a couple of days ago, I was driving home on Carter's Creek Pike and I saw that a pair of contractor trailers had gone up at the intersection of Carter's Creek Pike and Johnson Hollow Road. This is approximately where 840 will cross Carter's Creek Pike (TN 246).
Later, I saw a sign on the trailers for Bell & Associates who has the contract for extending 840 westward from US 31 (pavement actually ends a couple of miles west of 31 but is closed for now.)
At the present time, there is no visible construction at Carter's Creek Pike, but there will be since there is supposed to be an exit there!
The western half of the unfinished section is supposedly already under construction.
See http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/sr840s/ (http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/sr840s/) for details.
I will post photos when I get a chance and when there are any significant changes.
Thanks for the update, mightyace. If you see any survey stakes in the ground in that area then you will know that construction activity will be taking place soon...
Will love to see any photos of this as well!
Sorry for the long delay folks...
I have finally uploaded to flickr pictures that I've taken over the last two months.
I will be updating the descriptions as I have time.
The set can be seen at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace/sets/72157617306001481/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace/sets/72157617306001481/)
I'll use this thread mainly for text updates and post selected pictures in a new thread in Member Albums.
I have named the photos and added descriptions.
I have some more pictures from this last weekend that I'll be adding later.
I'll also post them on a flickr map.
Its about time work begins on that missing link. I will incorporate the construction news into an update of the Tennessee 840 page on the Interstate-Guide very soon.
Also when you get a chance, do you think you could photograph us a decent shield shot of an Tennessee 840 shield?
I've uploaded another batch of photos to my flickr account.
See http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace/sets/72157617306001481/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace/sets/72157617306001481/)
Quote from: AARoads on May 14, 2009, 03:25:21 AM
Also when you get a chance, do you think you could photograph us a decent shield shot of an Tennessee 840 shield?
I've got that as well.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3361%2F3564674170_3b58cce1d1_m.jpg&hash=6f5577d5d383752eeadc25f0c7e3ebc5257e3c1a)
TN840_Cur_End@TN100_TN100EB_2_TN840WB by mightyace, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace/3564674170/)
and the project office sign:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3588%2F3564669970_5bf65d1d07.jpg&hash=a3ecba1f71cb799f984b155a672cf656d01e0103)
Project Office Sign_052309 by mightyace, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace/3564669970/)
A new round of photos has been added. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace/sets/72157617306001481/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightyace/sets/72157617306001481/)
Not surprisingly, the main focus of the construction at this point is on the bridges that will go over existing highways as they'll take longer to complete than the rest of the right-of-way.
Took an excursion this afternoon to test my new camera and take a look at the west end of 840.
The section between TN 100 and TN sec 46 could be complete in the near future. All but two of the bridges are complete and all of the grading has been done. Of course, there is still the paving, guardrails and signage to be done. However, the earthmoving is nearly complete on this section.
East of the TN sec 46 exit there is a gap between there and Leiper's Creek Road where nothing yet has been done.
Work on bridges from Leiper's Creek Road eastward to Thompson Station Road is progressing but only some grading has been done so far. According to Google Earth there is about a mile or so between Thompson Station Road and the end of graded ROW west of US 31.
I will post photos of today's excursion in the near future.
I was traveling on Carter's Creek Pike in Burwood today and found that the one lane bridge has been taken out of service. Traffic has been rerouted onto the partially complete new bridge. (They have to demolish the one lane bridge to finish the new one...)
The rerouting continues on the new alignment from the bridge to just south of where the road will pass under TN 840.
I'll try and get photos of this ASAP.
I'm sorry it's been awhile since I posted an update.
I returned the construction area and the western stub on the 24th.
It looks like the TN SR 100 to TN SSR 46 section may open soon. The part just past where the freeway currently ends at TN 100 looks ready to go. As I moved eastward, future 840 went from fully paved (no lines) to partially paved to still unpaved at the SSR 46 exit. The right of way still dead ends at SSR 46.
Moving east, work is progressing on a realignment of Leiper's Fork Road where it will pass under 840. This answers a question that I've had for awhile as one of the bridge piers was too low to let a highway pass under it, but the road won't go there.
Between Leiper's Fork Road and Carter's Creek Pike most of the bridges are in place or under construction. Parallel and cross roads have been straightened out onto new alignments. This is a good thing as many of these roads are narrow twisty back country roads.
The bridges over Thompson's Station Road are mostly complete and the alignment is graded at least a mile southwest of that point.
I'll try and post images to flickr when I can.
The section of TN 840 from Exit 7 (TN 100) to Exit 14 (TN 46) is scheduled to open to traffic this Wednesday, October 27, 2010.
http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/6234
Very pretty picture on the article. I saved it and will use as screen saver. Does anyone see 840 North getting back online anytime? Given Nashville's growth it could be used eventually especially on the eastern side of town.
When TDOT shelved the northern loop several years ago, they said that they didn't know when or if it would return. IIRC
And, Shawn, you're right it would help in the Northeast quadrant (Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville, Portland, etc.) which IMHO is the one that needs help the most.
Unfortunately, Tennessee all too often builds partial loops. See Briley Parkway (TN 155), James Campbell Blvd. in Columbia, US 43/412 in Columbia, Mack Hatcher Parkway (TN 397, US 31/431 Truck) in Franklin, Old Hickory Blvd. (not a freeway but supposed to be a loop)
One can hope and all it takes is enough pushing and enough people stuck in traffic.
I'm curious, what's the exit number for the new exit on TN-840? Need to know so I can add the extension for the CHM Project.
I haven't had a chance to drive it yet.
However, at the road meet. There was mile marker 14 past the exit gore but before the underpass. No one was daring enough to walk far enough to see the number.
But, it must be either 13 or 14.
It is Exit 14.
On Saturday, when I left my house to go visit my mother in Franklin, and my 18-month-old dozed off before I even got to the freeway, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to head west on 40 and east on 840 to check out the new section.
Once I got to the end of the new section, I took TN 46 towards Leiper's Fork and then went south on the Natchez Trace Parkway to finally see where 840 was going to blow it off. I discovered that 840 will be crossing over the Trace, and they have an intricate I-beam structure erected over the roadway (SL reduced from 50 to 30 in this short work zone). At least (2) bridge piers appeared to be completed, and they were NOT the standard issue TDOT bridge piers that you find elsewhere along 840. This will most likely be some form of "designer bridge" that will look appealing to Trace travelers.
I took the Trace as far south as TN 7 with the intention of taking it to Leiper's Creek Rd and work my way back to Franklin, but there were detour signs directing me to take Old Natchez Trace (interesting road BTW, nice scenery, and is responsible for (6) of the over/underpasses along the Parkway). Would the detour on Leiper's Creek be associated with 840 work, or would it be residual flood damage, or something else altogether?
Quote from: wriddle082 on November 08, 2010, 04:55:14 PM
It is Exit 14.
Thanks. :thumbsup:
Will be adding the new extension tonight and will let you guys know when it's up. ;)
Quote from: wriddle082 on November 08, 2010, 04:55:14 PM
I took the Trace as far south as TN 7 with the intention of taking it to Leiper's Creek Rd and work my way back to Franklin, but there were detour signs directing me to take Old Natchez Trace (interesting road BTW, nice scenery, and is responsible for (6) of the over/underpasses along the Parkway). Would the detour on Leiper's Creek be associated with 840 work, or would it be residual flood damage, or something else altogether?
There was a bridge on the Leiper's Creek Road that was washed out in the May floods somewhere between the TN 840 crossing and TN 7.
On my way to work today, I saw that the beams to support 840 over TN 246 aka Carter's Creek Pike are now in place. They weren't there last Tuesday which was the last day that I went down the road. I'll try and get some pictures soon.
The Weather Channel's maps already idenify this highway as "Interstate" 840.
Google Maps has updated their imagry for Nashville, and shows progress on TN 840 as of 8/1/2011:
http://g.co/maps/ktxnf
Interesting looking bridge construction at the Natchez Trace Pkwy: http://g.co/maps/msp5e
I wonder if it is an arch bridge?
Quote from: codyg1985 on November 14, 2011, 09:10:38 AM
Google Maps has updated their imagry for Nashville, and shows progress on TN 840 as of 8/1/2011:
http://g.co/maps/ktxnf
Interesting looking bridge construction at the Natchez Trace Pkwy: http://g.co/maps/msp5e
I wonder if it is an arch bridge?
I've got some photos of the bridge construction taken about a year ago back before I moved to SC, but I can't seem to figure out how to post them to the forum. They're on my hard drive as opposed to being on a website. Could somebody give me a tip how to do this?
You'll have to upload them to a website, such as flickr or Photobucket - both are free if I'm not mistaken. Then just put the links to the pictures inside an [ img ] tag on the forum.
Will this eventually be designated Interstate 840 ?
Yeah one of these days I'll probably start a Flickr account. Got a bunch of road photos I've saved up and need to put out there somewhere, but not start a website.
Quote from: Beltway on November 15, 2011, 09:44:39 PM
Will this eventually be designated Interstate 840 ?
Highly unlikely in my opinion since they didn't do the FED environmental studies to built it and only did state ones. But you never know.
Quote from: wriddle082 on November 15, 2011, 09:52:51 PM
Yeah one of these days I'll probably start a Flickr account. Got a bunch of road photos I've saved up and need to put out there somewhere, but not start a website.
I've bee relatively happy with my Flickr account, though I have TONS of photos I haven't uploaded
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on November 16, 2011, 12:29:43 AM
Quote from: Beltway on November 15, 2011, 09:44:39 PM
Will this eventually be designated Interstate 840 ?
Highly unlikely in my opinion since they didn't do the FED environmental studies to built it and only did state ones. But you never know.
Same was true with US 23, and it's now I-26.
QuoteSame was true with US 23, and it's now I-26.
Not the case. TDOT would have had to do a federal study for US 23 because they were using Appalachian Corridor funds for it.
Whether the state used Federal funds or not or did a Federal environmental study or not is really irrelevant, though. Whether or not a given road gets included on the Interstate system is dependent on two things: 1) was/is it built to Interstate standards? 2) is it a logical addition to the Interstate system? Barring Congressional legislation, FHWA determines the latter.
US 23 in Tennessee was not quite built to Interstate standards, if I remember correctly.
Quote from: NE2 on November 21, 2011, 07:38:27 AM
US 23 in Tennessee was not quite built to Interstate standards, if I remember correctly.
It is built to Interstate standards for the mountainous terrain that it passes through, i.e. a few horizontal curves have a 50 mph design speed, most are 60 mph or more. Lane and shoulder widths are to Interstate standards.
Quote from: froggie on November 21, 2011, 07:18:49 AM
QuoteSame was true with US 23, and it's now I-26.
Not the case. TDOT would have had to do a federal study for US 23 because they were using Appalachian Corridor funds for it.
Whether the state used Federal funds or not or did a Federal environmental study or not is really irrelevant, though. Whether or not a given road gets included on the Interstate system is dependent on two things: 1) was/is it built to Interstate standards? 2) is it a logical addition to the Interstate system? Barring Congressional legislation, FHWA determines the latter.
I remember John Lansford
P.E. getting his panties in a wad on m.t.r over the way Tennessee built its section of US 23 vs. how North Carolina did it, and him complaining about all of Tennessee's shortcuts. Seems like one of the things he complained about was the lack of the same in-depth environmental studies that were done in NC.
Quote from: hbelkins on November 22, 2011, 11:16:29 AM
Quote from: froggie on November 21, 2011, 07:18:49 AM
QuoteSame was true with US 23, and it's now I-26.
Not the case. TDOT would have had to do a federal study for US 23 because they were using Appalachian Corridor funds for it.
Whether the state used Federal funds or not or did a Federal environmental study or not is really irrelevant, though. Whether or not a given road gets included on the Interstate system is dependent on two things: 1) was/is it built to Interstate standards? 2) is it a logical addition to the Interstate system? Barring Congressional legislation, FHWA determines the latter.
I remember John Lansford P.E. getting his panties in a wad on m.t.r over the way Tennessee built its section of US 23 vs. how North Carolina did it, and him complaining about all of Tennessee's shortcuts. Seems like one of the things he complained about was the lack of the same in-depth environmental studies that were done in NC.
He was and is FOS. The TN I-26 projects in Unicoi County won the top FHWA biannual award for rural highway design excellence.
'In 1996, this highway received national recognition with an "Award of Excellence" in rural highway design from the Federal Highway Administration. Extra efforts were taken to mitigate environmental concerns along the U.S. 23 corridor in Unicoi County which was one of the "largest and most environmentally sensitive projects ever undertaken by TDOT".'
http://www.jcmpo.org/i26.htm
http://www.jcmpo.org/award.htm
The judgment of that panel of FHWA engineers trumps his opinions by a factor of at least 10x.
His unwarranted personal attacks against the project's engineers and planners, such as claiming that it was "poorly engineered", are because of his jealousy over the fact that the N.C. section did not receive that award after it was completed years later.
Quote from: froggie on November 21, 2011, 07:18:49 AM
QuoteSame was true with US 23, and it's now I-26.
Not the case. TDOT would have had to do a federal study for US 23 because they were using Appalachian Corridor funds for it.
Whether the state used Federal funds or not or did a Federal environmental study or not is really irrelevant, though. Whether or not a given road gets included on the Interstate system is dependent on two things: 1) was/is it built to Interstate standards? 2) is it a logical addition to the Interstate system? Barring Congressional legislation, FHWA determines the latter.
The completed sections of 840 are
definitely to Interstate standards. And, to me, it would be a logical addition to the system.
____________________
I noticed a couple of days ago when I got my new phone that Google had updated the imagery in my area.
Though the imagery does not yet show the latest improvements. Carters Creek Pike (TN-246) has been striped for a left turn lane to 840 and Johnson Hollow Road. There are also concrete pads that abut 246 where the ramps will meet it. I had some hopes the section from US 31 to TN 246 would open soon. However, there are road closed signs at the exit/entrance ramps that are semi-permanently been set up on sign poles placed in the ground.
I have a large backlog of TN 840 pictures to post and hope to move ahead on them soon.
^ I am impressed with how rapidly construction has progressed with TN 840. I really need to go and check it out on a nice weekend that I am free. Don't know when that will be, though. :(
It would not surprised me to see TN 840 designated as I-840, as a "Non-Chargable" Interstate within a couple of years after its completion. That is just my guess, without any knowledge to back it up.
I am just wishin and hopin that a future Governor of TN would open the Northeast side of 840 back up for planning and building. Would do wonders for all the mainline Interstates in Nashville.
^^^
And if he/she does, let's hope the VIP that got 840 north moved to the east side of Lebanon no longer has influence and the north loop can start at the south loop on the east side.
Hell yes to that. I thought that the going east of Lebanon was absolutely retarded. Unless something similar to my toll road through Cookeville and Glasgow is constructed (which would dramatically shorten the distance and relieve a lot of I-24 and I-65 traffic as well), the through Chattanooga to Louisville (or vice-versa) traffic needs to be routed away from Nashville. The Atlanta to Chicago corridor is a major one for truck freight.
Given that TN 155 already exists as a northern loop around Nashville, I don't see a need for a northern TN/I-840. That'd be a whole lot of construction cost for not much benefit.
Quote from: froggie on December 12, 2011, 06:32:04 AM
Given that TN 155 already exists as a northern loop around Nashville, I don't see a need for a northern TN/I-840. That'd be a whole lot of construction cost for not much benefit.
I could see a lot of truck traffic and through traffic using the loop, especially from I-65 south to I-24 east and vice-versa. It would take a bit of traffic from the Nashville interstate system. Still, TN 155 would work well if it had a direct freeway connection with I-24 east. It wouldn't take a whole lot to make that happen, either.
One thing I have noticed is that TN 155 isn't advertised very well as a bypass at all. Coming back from my trip to Evansville the Sunday after Thanksgiving I-24 was quite congested, and I-65 north from what I heard was much worse; yet I didn't see much of any traffic utilizing TN 155. There aren't any signs saying that TN 155 can take you to I-40 east/west or even to I-440 which can help you reach I-65 south or I-24 east. The VMS signs right before the interchange with TN 155 on I-24 warned of congestion and to use TN 155, but that was it.
I have some photos from my trip yesterday with Jason Illyes and mightyace of the TN 840 construction progress. I have the photos on Facebook for now and I have the album set for everyone to see, but if no one can see them let me know and I will post them elsewhere.
TN 840 crossing Boston Theta Road.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc7%2F390533_629393758483_78202701_32670822_902789617_n.jpg&hash=b5d48c0369f802fc7aca807a28f9e5c1226f08e4)
Looking west on TN 840 off of Mobley's Cut Rd toward the Natchez Trace Pkwy.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F373778_629393963073_78202701_32670823_1133258463_n.jpg&hash=a92b49eb381dc265ad8c070757e785c6afb11150)
TN 840 bridge construction over the Natchez Trace Pkwy. This view looks north.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F381556_629394162673_78202701_32670826_138167431_n.jpg&hash=84f32bac98e10eab91e32138a525c8271bdb6156)
Closeup of the steel decking for the EB TN 840 bridge over the Natchez Trace Pkwy. The abutment still needs to be poured.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc7%2F393512_629394237523_78202701_32670827_455454463_n.jpg&hash=8750c82e961bd11406d7732299a56ecede435a18)
Looking east on TN 840. Lots of grading work is still needed through here.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F390224_629394302393_78202701_32670828_1790174514_n.jpg&hash=ddc4fca327662dc62ed0d488eb64511f808e75f5)
It appears these bridges will be post-tensioned concrete bridges. The holes in the bridge at the end are for the cables that will tighten it up once everything is in place. You can see the footing for the abutment with the rebar sticking out of it.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F381296_629394521953_78202701_32670829_1342645871_n.jpg&hash=cdd3501c0129a3d78b2aeb81eaf9af8185b08f01)
Both TN 840 bridges over the Natchez Trace Pkwy.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F375406_629394711573_78202701_32670830_1506741251_n.jpg&hash=247824006fb350dd1438a084a6b0319a8a4c7d2f)
Bridge construction for Davis Hollow Rd over TN 840.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc7%2F380996_629394906183_78202701_32670832_1457397169_n.jpg&hash=40b0464f39e46260427f5852c40fc24ce6883c6a)
Looking at Tn 840 west towards TN 46 off of Davis Hollow Rd.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F376561_629395005983_78202701_32670833_1633007184_n.jpg&hash=f58fdbc9301f0a0bb6e580737b97268ca19153fd)
Looking east on TN 840 at Davis Hollow Rd looking towards the Natchez Trace Pkwy. Where that silver SUV is parked is there is a temporary road for Davis Hollow Rd. It is closed to through traffic but we were able to use it just fine.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc7%2F384083_629395165663_78202701_32670834_678011663_n.jpg&hash=f4d8aebd71c51d6f1afd675a185c6873d5df0034)
Quote from: froggie on December 12, 2011, 06:32:04 AM
Given that TN 155 already exists as a northern loop around Nashville, I don't see a need for a northern TN/I-840. That'd be a whole lot of construction cost for not much benefit.
I would agree with you for 2/3 of the northern arc. There is not much population in Cheatham or Robertson county, and Montgomery County (Clarksville) is probably 10 miles beyond where the loop would be routed so I would imagine any trucks coming from Memphis wishing to access Clarksville could come up 45 Bypass, 45 East, and 79 from Jackson through Milan and Paris or 13 through Waverly, and trucks from Louisville accessing Clarksville could use 68 and 79 from Bowling Green through Russellville or use the Wendell H. Ford and Edward T. Breathitt parkways.
But there are a hell of a lot of trucks who travel from Chattanooga to Louisville (or vice-versa) that could use a better alternative to those being currently offered. Ever since 840 was constructed between Murfreesboro and Lebanon, every year more and more trucks traveling between Chattanooga and Louisville (or vice-versa) have altered their route to use 109 through Gallatin in order to avoid going through Nashville. I remember 20 or so years ago when I was a child that 109's traffic was very light. As in you'd see a vehicle maybe every 5 minutes or so. Now, it is a nightmare. 109's congestion for most of its 40 mile or so length is epic. I have heard that daily approximately 20,000 vehicles traveling from Chattanooga to Louisville or vice-versa (40% of them trucks) use 109. On mostly two-lane alignment. I have not seen the newest 6 or 7 miles of alignment north of the Gallatin By-pass, but the old road from the end of the Gallatin By-pass to Portland wound like a snake through the mountains. That was fine in 1992, but it sucks in 2011, especially with all the trucks. Also, the Cumberland River Bridge is relatively narrow with I believe 10 foot lanes. The Chattanooga to Louisville (or vice-versa) route needs a better alternative than going through Nashville or using 109.
So widen TN 109 and smooth off the corner at the south end of Gallatin...no need for the major expense of a new-terrain loop.
While I agree that there are a large number of trucks, I also think that your figure of 20K between Chattanooga and Louisville is a bit high. Even here in DC, through traffic on 95 isn't much more than 30K.
Looking at the aerial imagery from Google Maps on the two-lane portions of TN 109 between Gallatin and I-40 shows a bit of congestion with the cars and trucks when the imagery was taken. At least TN 109 is being widened to four lanes.
Given it's only four miles longer...are there folks who use TN 25 instead of TN 109 to reach Gallatin (on this Louisville-Chattanooga route)?
Quote from: froggie on December 13, 2011, 06:54:25 AM
I also think that your figure of 20K between Chattanooga and Louisville is a bit high.
That's overall vehicles, not just trucks. But that's only those that use 109 instead of going through Nashville. If I remember correctly, I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga has approximately 50,000 and I-65 between Nashville and Louisville has approximately 60,000 vehicles per day. So roughly a third or so (no more than half anyway) utilize 840 and 109 to by-pass Nashville. That is even higher than I-40 between Memphis and Nashville (a bit more than 40,000 / day) or I-75 between Chattanooga and Knoxville (a bit more than 45,000 / day). I doubt very many (if any) rural Interstates can compare to I-75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga though, with approximately 100,000 vehicles a day!
Quote from: codyg1985 on December 13, 2011, 09:53:12 AM
At least TN 109 is being widened to four lanes.
It only taken them, what, 15 years since 840 was completed? They should have anticipated this increase in traffic BEFORE 840 was constructed.
Quote from: TheStranger on December 13, 2011, 11:27:55 AM
Given it's only four miles longer...are there folks who use TN 25 instead of TN 109 to reach Gallatin (on this Louisville-Chattanooga route)?
A few perhaps, but most use 109. 25 probably would be equally as fast though due to the fact 109 must go through Downtown Portland.
QuoteIf I remember correctly, I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga has approximately 50,000 and I-65 between Nashville and Louisville has approximately 60,000 vehicles per day. So roughly a third or so (no more than half anyway) utilize 840 and 109 to by-pass Nashville.
You're assuming that a third of that I-65 traffic is specifcially bypassing around to head towards Chattanooga. I'm thinking that's a false assumption. Amongst the reasons: TN 109 at the river had a 2010 AADT of only 16,500...and surely a large part of that is local traffic or traffic only going between Gallatin and Lebanon.
My guess is that a lot of that I-65 traffic is headed to Memphis. I-65 to I-40 is still the preferred route for most in Kentucky vs. the parkways and US 51 (and I-155/I-55 for traffic bound for Arkansas.)
The contractors have started pouring concrete at the Carter's Creek Pike (TN SSR 246) exit.
I don't have any pictures, yet. But, 840 will probably be finished before I post them anyway... :sleep:
Quote from: mightyace on April 25, 2012, 10:00:39 PM
The contractors have started pouring concrete at the Carter's Creek Pike (TN SSR 246) exit.
I don't have any pictures, yet. But, 840 will probably be finished before I post them anyway... :sleep:
Concrete pavement I'm assuming?
Most definitely.
I drove Carter's Creek Pike into work today and saw workers laying more concrete on the EB entrance ramp.
In the oops dept., I didn't have my digital camera with me and didn't have enough time to take a phone picture.
Quote from: mightyace on May 02, 2012, 11:14:32 PM
Most definitely.
It'd be nice if the mainline was done concrete, but this being TN, I suspect it's exit ramps only, as usual.
AFAIK They haven't started paving the mainline in that area, yet. However, the open sections of TN 840 only have concrete on the ramps per TN "standard."
I haven't had a chance to explore yet, but they may be paving parts of the mainline. Both last Friday and today there were a steady stream of dump trucks with an asphalt smell going up and down Carter's Creek Pike.
I'm in Nashville this weekend and I did see the 840 being signed for Knoxville. When will the portion from 65 westward be open?
Quote from: golden eagle on May 26, 2012, 10:29:17 AM
I'm in Nashville this weekend and I did see the 840 being signed for Knoxville.
Where did you see "Knoxville" signed? IIRC, TN 840 at I-65 and I-24 have been signed for Knoxville for a long time. If it is at the western end near Dickson, that is news.
Quote from: golden eagle on May 26, 2012, 10:29:17 AM
When will the portion from 65 westward be open?
Last I knew, the target was sometime this fall.
It was signed at I-65. On the western edge, it's signed as "local traffic".
Quote from: mightyace on May 15, 2012, 10:38:59 PM
I haven't had a chance to explore yet, but they may be paving parts of the mainline. Both last Friday and today there were a steady stream of dump trucks with an asphalt smell going up and down Carter's Creek Pike.
Still plenty of trucks going up and down Carter's Creek Pike but I went by the US 31 interchange on Tuesday and there still isn't any pavement to the west.
When I-840 is done, will Nashville have two bypasses, or three? :-D :-D :-D
In my opinion, it will have one and that only for E-W or E-W to/from N-S.
The downtown I-24/40/65 loop is by no means any kind of bypass and but it is the only full freeway loop in Middle TN.
I-440 is billed as a bypass of I-40 downtown, but as it is only 4 lanes (2-2) and is frequently more congested than I-40 itself. Plus, its east and west ends are well within rush hour congestion.
Briley Parkway (TN 155) is a half-loop on the north side. (or 2/3 if you count the partially at grade section between I-40 and I-24 on the southeast side of town.) In recent years, it has been upgraded between I-40 on the east side and I-65 to make it 6 or 8 lanes instead of 4 and got rid of many substandard freeway features. You CAN use it as an I-40 bypass, but as it is so much longer, it is only faster during the worst of rush hour. If you are willing to use the at grade section, you can do I-24. I-65 - no dice.
Briley and I-440 kinda sorta make a full loop but as you need to use I-40 on both sides to go between I-440 and Briley, you still run into rush hour congestion.
So, that leaves the soon to be completed TN 840 south loop. It may work as an I-40 bypass if I-40 is congested enough that the extra distance on 840 won't hurt you. But, it will likely remain much as it is now, a connector between I-40 and interstates 24 and 65 on the south side of town. So, I guess it is a bypass if you're making those movements.
Now, I'm arguing from a practical perspective. From a technical standpoint, I'd say the answer is 3 as I'd count I-440 and Briely separately due to their lack of connections except via I-40 or surface streets.
I was just being facetious and channeling "sr641."
Honestly, I can't see ever having a need for I-840 unless I was traveling to or from Memphis and had opted to use TN 111 or TN 53/TN 56 (ARC Corridor "mumble") to get to I-40 instead of taking I-65. And then it would depend on if there were delays on I-40 in Nashville. The extra mileage would have to be offset by a time savings before I'd opt to bypass Nashville to the south instead of going straight through town.
Using I-40 to I-65, I would seriously consider Briley but again, it would depend on if traffic was congested closer to downtown.
I see. (Well it's not the first time I've been gotten. :crazy:)
Anyway, for me personally, it's already a big help. At the present time, I have to get to I-65 via Saturn Pkwy and up to 840 or up US 31 to 840's current end. But, it makes travel to/from Murfreesboro/Chattanooga/Atlanta much easier. Now, 840 to I-40 east versus 65 north to 40 east is a toss-up if traffic isn't an issue. But, I usually take 840 as it is the road less traveled.
Once the Carter's Creek Pike exit opens, travel to the east and southeast will be even easier as the exit is 4-5 miles from my house with just 2 stop signs and no traffic lights.
Now to the west, the current "stub" only kinda-sorta helps as it takes much overland travel to get to it as those who went to the Tennessee meet in October 2010 can attest while following the construction route. This will make Dickson a 40 minute drive instead of over an hour and will also help immensely going west. As my Dad is now living in northeast Texas, I suspect I'll be making some trips in that direction.
Are there any plans to make Briley Parkway a freeway on its entire route?
I did end on 440 and that was, by far, the worst traffic I experienced in Nashville. Who came up with the bright idea of not making it a six-laned highway all the way through?
I-440 was originally intended to be either 6 or 8 lanes for its entire length, I forgot which. The freeway almost got cancelled in the 1970's due to pressure and lawsuits by anti-freeway types, and that it goes though some rather affluent neighborhoods. From what I have read, the width of 440 had to be scaled back to a four-lane facilty in order to keep it from being canceled. I presume the parkway "look and feel" of that facility is due to that agreement as well. 440 was not actually constructed until the 1980's, over a decade after the rest of the Nashville area interstates were initially completed.
I agree the section between I-65 and I-24 is a bottleneck during certain hours of the day, but better the roadway be four-lanes than not exist at all.
Quote from: RoadWarrior56 on June 03, 2012, 12:13:42 PM
I agree the section between I-65 and I-24 is a bottleneck during certain hours of the day, but better the roadway be four-lanes than not exist at all.
Dude, you must've been following me! That's where I was caught up in traffic. I had meant to get off 65 much earlier, but I was running my mouth on the phone (I had a headset on) and missed the exit.
I was not me following you. I know to stay off that section of 440 on a weekday.
Quote from: golden eagle on June 03, 2012, 09:21:13 AM
Are there any plans to make Briley Parkway a freeway on its entire route
Not that I've heard of. But, it wouldn't take much. On the west side, Briley Parkway ends at I-40. It is White Bridge Road south of I-40. Briley Parkway's other end is where it meets up with Thompson Lane just west of I-24's exit 54. Only the sections from I-24 to Thompson Lane and from just south of Vultee Blvd. to I-40 are not freeway. I-24 exit 54 was completely free flow to/from Briley until the most recent rebuild. There are now traffic lights there.
Now, as the streets that connect both ends of Briley (Thompson Lane, Woodmont Blvd., White Bridge Rd.) run only a little south of I-440, it is doubtful there will be a freeway there. And, given past opposition, even linking Briley with 440 is doubtful.
I can report that work is progressing on completing 840 all the way through, but it isn't finished yet.
To connect the two ends, I got off at the end of the western portion at Leiper's Fork and took 46 to 96, and then stayed on 96 through Franklin. It's a very slow but also very scenic drive in places. But not a drive to take when you want to get from point A to point B in as little time as possible.
I drove down US 31 on my way home from work today and noticed that the future mainline west of US 31 has finally been paved. (It has been graded for many years there.)
I also say many asphalt trucks on future 840 near the TN-246 (Carter's Creek Pike) exit. So, that section is getting closer to opening.
Now, I don't know whether or not TDOT will open the US 31-TN 246 section if the TN 246-TN 46 section is still incomplete.
^ I wonder if they will just wait until the entire thing is finished before opening it?
Is there any chance the western portion of 840 will be open by September? I plan on being back up there the last weekend in September and would like to enjoy a change of scenery (and avoid 440!).
TDOT's latest on this project (http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/sr840s/)
Quote
- From Leipers Creek Road to Columbia Pike (SR 6):
The grading work and bridge construction on this project is complete. However, the project still needs to be paved, striped, signed and have guardrail installed. Lojac Enterprises will begin this work in early 2012.
Since paving is well underway on this segment, it could be eligible to open soon. Even so, the part from Carter's Creek Pike to Leipers Creek Road will be closed as Carter's Creek Pike (TN 246) is the only new exit on the unfinished 12 miles.
Quote
- From Pinewood Road (SR 46) to Leipers Creek Road:
Eubank Asphalt Paving & Sealing began work on this section in early 2010. This contract includes grading, bridge and retaining wall construction, paving, striping, signing and installation of guardrails.
Even a month or two ago, there was still unfinished grading and unfinished bridges along this section.
Thought SR 46 was Leipers Creek Road. :sombrero:
Which brings up a sign error I found in Franklin in June. SR 96 westbound is signed at one point as a SSR with a triangle sign – it threw me off for a little while and drew a stare of daggers from the Sunday couple I damn near sideswiped to get over.
Quote from: Road Hog on July 21, 2012, 12:13:11 AM
Thought SR 46 was Leipers Creek Road. :sombrero:
It is through Leipers Fork. Shortly SW of there it turns onto Pinewood Rd and under the Nathchez Trace Parkway.
https://maps.google.com/?ll=35.889328,-87.013049&spn=0.009526,0.022724&t=m&z=16
Then, it's just a county road beyond that. That's part of why there isn't going to be an exit at Leipers Creek Road as the state said, that they didn't want to put an exit there because it wasn't a state road. However, I'm fairly sure that not ALL exits of 840 are at state highways.
https://maps.google.com/?ll=35.826617,-87.053454&spn=0.009534,0.022724&t=h&z=16
Quote from: Road Hog on July 21, 2012, 12:13:11 AM
Which brings up a sign error I found in Franklin in June. SR 96 westbound is signed at one point as a SSR with a triangle sign – it threw me off for a little while and drew a stare of daggers from the Sunday couple I damn near sideswiped to get over.
TN makes that error often. Do you know where that sign was. I can probably get a picture of it if I have an idea where.
November 2nd apparently target date:
http://www.jacksonsun.com/viewart/20120802/NEWS01/308020016/Route-840-completed-Nov-