Motorists in west Nashville should experience better traffic flow later this week when Phase II of the Interstate 40-White Bridge Road interchange improvement project [1] opens.
They key component of Phase II was the completion of a bridge and connector to accommodate traffic between Interstate 40 and Briley Parkway at White Bridge Road.
The project included the construction of two fly-over ramps to and from I-40 and Briley Parkway, three noise barriers, the replacement of the White Bridge Road bridge over I-40, five retaining walls, and the replacement of the pedestrian bridge located just west of the interchange.
Phase I of the project was completed in 2005 and greatly improved safety and the flow of traffic, but a lack of funding delayed the second half of the project.
Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [2], the $32 million project is the second-largest federal stimulus project in the state. (The ambitious plan to widen a 4-mile stretch U.S. Hwy. 66 through Sevierville is at the top of the list.)
Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez will make the trip to Nashville to celebrate the grand opening. Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely, Mayor Karl Dean, Sen. Douglas Henry and Rep. Gary Odom will join him at the dedication.
Links:
[1] http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/recovery-act-allows-i-40-flyover-project-continue
[2] http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/economic-stimulus-has-been-good-nashville