Highway 100/70 ‘split’ could get redesign

The confusing Y-shaped Highway 100 and Highway 70S interchange in West Nashville will be the topic of community meetings in the coming weeks and potentially get a completely redesign in the not-too-distant future.

The well traveled ‘split,’ as it’s known, can be confusing for drivers unfamiliar with the mix of turn lanes to and from each highway, as well as Heady Drive, home to the Belle Meade Post Office.

In accordance with the update to the West Nashville Community Plan, which was approved by the Planning Commission last week, District 23 Metro Councilwoman Emily Evans said she plans to hold meetings on the topic.

Evans said she would like to engage the Tennessee Department of Transportation as well. Both roads are state highways and it would require TDOT action for roadwork to be done.

According to Metro Police there have been just five traffic accidents requiring accident reports were required in the last year. Regardless, area residents voiced their desire for the interchange to be redesigned during the public meetings held in conjunction with the update to the community plan.

It is Evans’ desire to see the interchange provide easier access to Percy Warner Park in addition to being more walkable and more bikable.

She said it would be up to the area business owners surrounding the interchange to determine what the redesign looks like.

“It’s their road, it’s up to them what happens,” Evans said.

In the West Nashville Community Plan update document, the Planning Department offered a series of possibilities, including a roundabout, for how to improve traffic flow at the interchange. (See them by downloading the attachment below.)

The Planning document points out there are five existing points of “conflict” inside the existing interchange. In addition, the surrounding right-of-way land is not landscaped.