Tennessee

[wriddle082]

Not a very major change at all but TN 278 was recently signed along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Downtown Memphis. This route was designated some time in 2024 and was a former alignment of US 78. I took these earlier today.

SSR 278 has existed quite a bit longer than that.  It used to be the secret state route designation for the western 2 miles of US 78.  When US 78 was realigned and extended (*sigh*), I guess TDOT decided to spill the secret.

I recall the Memphis area having quite a few instances where the underlying state routes actually get signed along with the US routes; mostly TN 57 with US 72.  Still not like Georgia, where they're almost always signed.

[freebrickproductions]

Not a very major change at all but TN 278 was recently signed along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Downtown Memphis. This route was designated some time in 2024 and was a former alignment of US 78. I took these earlier today.

SSR 278 has existed quite a bit longer than that.  It used to be the secret state route designation for the western 2 miles of US 78.  When US 78 was realigned and extended (*sigh*), I guess TDOT decided to spill the secret.

I recall the Memphis area having quite a few instances where the underlying state routes actually get signed along with the US routes; mostly TN 57 with US 72.  Still not like Georgia, where they're almost always signed.

To be fair, US 72 and TN 57 also split in Collierville as the two travel east, as US 72 heads southeast into Mississippi while TN 57 continues more or less due east, more closely paralleling the NS Memphis District West End up to about Pocahontas, so I could see where TDOT might want to sign both of them to reduce any confusion.

[I-39]

They are finally going to fix the bottleneck on I-65 between I-840 and SR 396 in Williamson County. This is long overdue.

[The Ghostbuster]

Will expanding Interstate 65 to six lanes be enough for this stretch (US 412-to-Interstate 840)?

[I-55]

Will expanding Interstate 65 to six lanes be enough for this stretch (US 412-to-Interstate 840)?

AADT Volumes for I-65

Location
June Lake Blvd to I-840       85,915
TN 396 to June Lake Blvd    75,445
US 412 to TN 396                47,861

Growth figures are inconclusive as the counter between 840 and 396 has only been active since the completion of the June Lake Blvd interchange, and shows a 10k drop from 2024 and 2025. As of right now, 6-lanes will suffice for these volumes, and as long as June Lake to 840 isn't expected to exceed 100k any time soon I don't foresee any issues. With that said, given Nashville's growth rate I wouldn't be surprised if said growth occurs.

[I-39]

Will expanding Interstate 65 to six lanes be enough for this stretch (US 412-to-Interstate 840)?

AADT Volumes for I-65

Location
June Lake Blvd to I-840       85,915
TN 396 to June Lake Blvd    75,445
US 412 to TN 396                47,861

Growth figures are inconclusive as the counter between 840 and 396 has only been active since the completion of the June Lake Blvd interchange, and shows a 10k drop from 2024 and 2025. As of right now, 6-lanes will suffice for these volumes, and as long as June Lake to 840 isn't expected to exceed 100k any time soon I don't foresee any issues. With that said, given Nashville's growth rate I wouldn't be surprised if said growth occurs.

Remember though, the June Lake development has hardly been built out. That is going to be a gateway district into Spring Hill and will feature residential, office, retail, restaurants, entertainment, etc. Some of that could have a regional draw depending on what goes in.

There is also the east side of I-65 just south of the June Lake interchange, which I've heard has significant interest as well.

I would extend the eight lane section down to June Lake Blvd, or at least construct auxiliary lanes between I-840 and June Lake Blvd.

[I-55]

Will expanding Interstate 65 to six lanes be enough for this stretch (US 412-to-Interstate 840)?

AADT Volumes for I-65

Location
June Lake Blvd to I-840       85,915
TN 396 to June Lake Blvd    75,445
US 412 to TN 396                47,861

Growth figures are inconclusive as the counter between 840 and 396 has only been active since the completion of the June Lake Blvd interchange, and shows a 10k drop from 2024 and 2025. As of right now, 6-lanes will suffice for these volumes, and as long as June Lake to 840 isn't expected to exceed 100k any time soon I don't foresee any issues. With that said, given Nashville's growth rate I wouldn't be surprised if said growth occurs.

Remember though, the June Lake development has hardly been built out. That is going to be a gateway district into Spring Hill and will feature residential, office, retail, restaurants, entertainment, etc. Some of that could have a regional draw depending on what goes in.

There is also the east side of I-65 just south of the June Lake interchange, which I've heard has significant interest as well.

I would extend the eight lane section down to June Lake Blvd, or at least construct auxiliary lanes between I-840 and June Lake Blvd.

I think that the stretch between June Lake and 840 is a great candidate for what 65 will look like in Goodlettsville where there will be an auxiliary lane between Exits 97-98. The distance between the start/end points of the auxiliary lanes there is 1.5 miles, whereas between 840 and June Lake it's 1.75 miles. With the amount of 840 to June Lake traffic that is likely, the reduced merging should reduce congestion even further. After that, the 6-lane will go to TN 396, and maybe in the near future to US 412. Nothing in the 72 miles from  US 412 to I-565 should need to be widened for at least 30-50 years.

[Plutonic Panda]

Tennessee getting an extra $400 million for the year.

https://aashtojournal.transportation.org/tennessee-dot-gets-400m-in-additional-state-funding/

[Mapmikey]

TN 634 exists...credit to NE2 for finding it...

http://www.vahighways.com/tn-annex/routes/tn634.htm

GIS link - https://tn-tnmap.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/37229399437446b9acd653f353f7decc_0/explore?location=35.952449%2C-83.901193%2C15

It is unsigned...

[SignGeniusPTOE]

Those AADT volumes don't account for the thousands of motorists who use US 431 and other routes to avoid the constant backups on I-65. So, once the widening project is ever finished, volumes that are diverting from I-65 and currently using other routes will use I-65 instead, until it gets jammed up again. It will easily reach 100,000 AADT between I-840 and June Lake.

I live on the east side of Columbia and work in Brentwood. I have to take US 431 to bypass I-65 in both directions daily. Just during the PM peak, high volumes of motorists get off of I-65 southbound at "Goose Creek Bypass", or I-840 westbound to access US 431 southbound, creating a disaster at the I-840/US 431 interchange.

Dumbest thing I ever did was move from Florida to here. The only area in FL with worse traffic congestion than the Nashvegas area is Miami-Fort Lauderdale.

Also, TDOT has the worst roadway signage I've ever seen. A total joke.

Will expanding Interstate 65 to six lanes be enough for this stretch (US 412-to-Interstate 840)?

AADT Volumes for I-65

Location
June Lake Blvd to I-840       85,915
TN 396 to June Lake Blvd    75,445
US 412 to TN 396                47,861

Growth figures are inconclusive as the counter between 840 and 396 has only been active since the completion of the June Lake Blvd interchange, and shows a 10k drop from 2024 and 2025. As of right now, 6-lanes will suffice for these volumes, and as long as June Lake to 840 isn't expected to exceed 100k any time soon I don't foresee any issues. With that said, given Nashville's growth rate I wouldn't be surprised if said growth occurs.

[I-55]

Will expanding Interstate 65 to six lanes be enough for this stretch (US 412-to-Interstate 840)?

AADT Volumes for I-65

Location
June Lake Blvd to I-840       85,915
TN 396 to June Lake Blvd    75,445
US 412 to TN 396                47,861

Growth figures are inconclusive as the counter between 840 and 396 has only been active since the completion of the June Lake Blvd interchange, and shows a 10k drop from 2024 and 2025. As of right now, 6-lanes will suffice for these volumes, and as long as June Lake to 840 isn't expected to exceed 100k any time soon I don't foresee any issues. With that said, given Nashville's growth rate I wouldn't be surprised if said growth occurs.

Those AADT volumes don't account for the thousands of motorists who use US 431 and other routes to avoid the constant backups on I-65. So, once the widening project is ever finished, volumes that are diverting from I-65 and currently using other routes will use I-65 instead, until it gets jammed up again. It will easily reach 100,000 AADT between I-840 and June Lake.

I live on the east side of Columbia and work in Brentwood. I have to take US 431 to bypass I-65 in both directions daily. Just during the PM peak, high volumes of motorists get off of I-65 southbound at "Goose Creek Bypass", or I-840 westbound to access US 431 southbound, creating a disaster at the I-840/US 431 interchange.

US 431 has a whopping 8,146 AADT south of I-840 and 11,020 AADT north of I-840. I highly doubt more than 40% of that moves to I-65 post widening. Anyone who knows US 31 exists through Spring Hill already takes a congested I-65 9 times out of 10 before slogging through on US 31. On the high end, I-65 will maybe see 5k diverted from local routes which won't impact performance significantly (91k AADT well within serviceability of urban 6-lane interstate)

Dumbest thing I ever did was move from Florida to here. The only area in FL with worse traffic congestion than the Nashvegas area is Miami-Fort Lauderdale.

This is I-4 erasure.

Also, TDOT has the worst roadway signage I've ever seen. A total joke.

TDOT isn't the best at signing US routes through cities and is widely discussed here. Interstate signage is usually better than par especially for the south.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9374df51f5bf4755b2253e91202966cd

TDOT is finally doing a PEL study on the Inner Loop (I-24/40/65) in Nashville!

[I-39]

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9374df51f5bf4755b2253e91202966cd

TDOT is finally doing a PEL study on the Inner Loop (I-24/40/65) in Nashville!

This loop badly needs reconstruction to update the outdated geometry, but it's gonna be a mess when they start it.

[Tomahawkin]

IMO, It will take 4-6 years minimum to do a reconstruction project in that area that should have been done 15+ years ago. I would imagine a Few Full Closures of Interstates in that loop to accelerate the construction in that loop. A lot of the surface street bridges are in desperate need to be rebuilt. I can't imagine what it will be like there when Nashville gets the College football labor day openers and The Super Bowl...

[I-55]

Nashville's traffic problems aren't particularly difficult to diagnose. Several factors immediately jump out of the screen when looking at where things go wrong.

All traffic funnels through downtown. Despite having 3 partial belt routes (155, 440, 840), there's no reliable bypass route for movements other than Memphis-Chattanooga/Knoxville due to the fact that none of the routes touch I-65 or I-24 on both sides of downtown. The north half of I-840 is dead, so 65/24 have no bypass future, and 155/840 add 10-15 miles over I-40 rendering it unpopular for most drivers. Most cities/metros of similar size (Indy, Louisville, Atlanta, Columbus, Cincinnati, St Louis, Kansas City, Charlotte, Washington, Baltimore) have either full beltways or loop routes that cover the critical through movements to remove vehicles from the city.

On 4/6 "spokes" of the "wheel," there are 4+ lanes in each direction that narrows down to 3 each way as you get close to the loop. I-65 and I-24 have 7 inbound lanes that narrow to 4 after exit 88. I-40 and I-24 have 8 inbound lanes at Briley but only 4 inbound lanes on their concurrency.

Then there's the loop itself, which everyone has to pass through. The downtown loop was underbuilt with poor geometry and traffic patterns at the start and never fixed. Tight ramps and weaving decrease the efficiency of the loop from what a typical "stock" value might be. If we treat Briley and Ellington Pky like interstates, I-40 has 7 system interchanges in 11 miles, I-65 has 6 in 10 miles, and I-24 has 7 in 10 miles. To stay on the same interstate, you enter on one side of a merge then exit on the other in less than 2 miles.

I havent even mentioned the local interchanges yet. The ones that actually provide downtown access. Most of which are partial interchanges with ramps less than 1000' from a system interchange.


The solutions?

If Tennessee doesn't resort to half-hearted fixes, they're looking at needing to spend at least $5-10 billion over 10-15 years. The entire loop needs rebuilt. All system interchanges between I-65, I-40, and I-24 need to be torn down and reconfigured (except I-65/24 Exit 88 which would see problems dissipate with a widening between the splits). The spokes coming out of the downtown loop need an additional lane or two in each direction. The I-24 leg of the loop needs a serious rethinking of the local exits, including direct connections between Ellington and I-24. If I were playing a city builder game I would be bulldozing entire blocks to realign the interstates so that local access could be achieved from system interchanges.

While the I-840 north loop would be nice, I doubt it would do much to alleviate downtown traffic, and like the southern half it would most likely contribute to further sprawl. I doubt there will ever be a reliable alternate route for I-65 and I-24 on the downtown loop. As such, I think the corridor following I-24 would need to see the largest overhaul, possibly including a collector/express system similar to I-80/29 through Council Bluffs.

[The Ghostbuster]

As long as they get rid of the left-hand exit and entrance ramps, and add additional lanes where needed, it will have my support.

[SignGeniusPTOE]

IMO, It will take 4-6 years minimum to do a reconstruction project in that area that should have been done 15+ years ago. I would imagine a Few Full Closures of Interstates in that loop to accelerate the construction in that loop. A lot of the surface street bridges are in desperate need to be rebuilt. I can't imagine what it will be like there when Nashville gets the College football labor day openers and The Super Bowl...

It's taken the Ohio DOT twenty years and over $2 billion to upgrade the Columbus downtown loop. TDOT will never get the money to reconstruct Nashville's. Their budget is laughable.

[SignGeniusPTOE]

TN has too many US Routes with suffix's. US 31E, US 31W, US 31A...I mean c'mon!

There is nothing wrong with the suffixed U.S. highways anywhere. In fact it's a shame there aren't more since AASHTO has gotten rid of some.  It's a part of the rich history of the U.S. Highway system. 

Too confusing to the public and they are poorly signed.

[SignGeniusPTOE]

Will expanding Interstate 65 to six lanes be enough for this stretch (US 412-to-Interstate 840)?

Needs to be 8 from 840 to Saturn Parkway

[Plutonic Panda]

IMO, It will take 4-6 years minimum to do a reconstruction project in that area that should have been done 15+ years ago. I would imagine a Few Full Closures of Interstates in that loop to accelerate the construction in that loop. A lot of the surface street bridges are in desperate need to be rebuilt. I can't imagine what it will be like there when Nashville gets the College football labor day openers and The Super Bowl...

It's taken the Ohio DOT twenty years and over $2 billion to upgrade the Columbus downtown loop. TDOT will never get the money to reconstruct Nashville's. Their budget is laughable.

Tennessee does need to address their budget issues and they will and the downtown Loop will be very reconstructed. It's not a matter of if it's a matter of when there's no debate to be had about that it will happen.

[akt85]

Does the average person taking I-40 from Memphis to Knoxville actually save time taking I-840?

[freebrickproductions]

Does the average person taking I-40 from Memphis to Knoxville actually save time taking I-840?

It mainly depends on just how bad traffic is in downtown Nashville, but from what I've heard generally yeah.

[wriddle082]

Does the average person taking I-40 from Memphis to Knoxville actually save time taking I-840?

It mainly depends on just how bad traffic is in downtown Nashville, but from what I've heard generally yeah.

They now have travel time signage at either end along I-40 when approaching I-840.  In Dickson, you get the travel time to Lebanon using either 40 or 840, and in Lebanon you get the travel time to Dickson using either 40 or 840.

Either way, if you choose I-840, be sure you have enough gas to get all the way to the end, because there aren't very many fuel options, or services in general, off of most of the I-840 exits.  And be prepared for pavement settling at pretty much all of the bridge approaches.

[freebrickproductions]

And be prepared for pavement settling at pretty much all of the bridge approaches.

IMHO it's easily the best part of I-840, NGL. It's a bit of a boring drive otherwise.

[Revive 755]

All traffic funnels through downtown. Despite having 3 partial belt routes (155, 440, 840), there's no reliable bypass route for movements other than Memphis-Chattanooga/Knoxville due to the fact that none of the routes touch I-65 or I-24 on both sides of downtown.

I haven't used enough to say for sure if it qualifies as "reliable", but using I-440, I-40, and TN 155 seems to make a somewhat decent downtown bypass for I-65 south of Nashville to I-24 northwest of Nashville.