JOELTON, Tenn. (WTVF) — A steady stream of cars flows down Whites Creek Pike in Joelton, causing headaches and concern for people who live and work nearby.
The traffic comes from Interstate 24 where drivers are being diverted off the road and onto much smaller side streets. A landslide, triggered by last week's heavy rains, shut down the eastbound lanes of I-24 in between Old Hickory Boulevard and Briley Parkway in Northwest Davidson County. TDOT expects the section of interstate to be shut down until March 15.
"If you don't know the backroads you won't make it nowhere," John Brittain said. Brittain said he drives Clarksville Pike, another busy detour, to work. "It's staying backed up from here [Old Hickory Boulevard], almost to Pleasant View. You're more or less stuck in the molasses"
Beyond becoming a massive backup, some people who live near the detours worry it's becoming dangerous. Many expressed concerns about big rigs speeding down much smaller roads that are often notoriously windy.
"There's what we refer to here in Joelton as "Devil's Elbow,'" Gary Moore said. "it's a real hairpin turn...so its just a matter of time until somebody has a drastic wreck there." Moore also expressed concern about trucks crossing over center lines while navigating the curvy stretches of road.
Some Joelton residents are turning to the State, searching for help with the traffic issues. Moore and other residents are asking the Tennessee Highway Patrol to step in to keep truckers off certain roads and keep traffic moving.
"The best thing they could do is get to the traffic lights that are involved and control them so that traffic can flow better."
