ANTIOCH, Tenn. — Tennessee Department of Transportation officials plan to close the I-24 Westbound Hickory Hollow Parkway exit on September 3rd.
This comes as work to modify and reconstruct existing ramps and roads in the area continues. The ramp is expected to be closed for six months as crews work on creating a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). The unique crisscross design allows two directions of traffic to temporarily cross to opposite sides of the roadway in order to travel across the overpass, and then cross back and resume the original travel pattern.
TDOT spokeswoman Kathryn Schulte said the completed project will allow for fewer stops for drivers and eliminate all left-hand turns into oncoming traffic. One detour drivers can use is the Bell Road exit.
Metro Nashville Councilwoman Jacobia Dowell said the next six months may be an inconvenience for some but the interchange developments are needed.
"We've continued to grow the area. Including most recently we're adding 10,000 new units of housing over the next couple of years and we've got to have the road improved in order to let people get in and out of the community safely," she said.
Dowell said there are other routes drivers can use in order to get around the temporary closure.
"I think people should keep in mind we are fortunate that we are a very regionally convenient to Interstate 65, Interstate 40 Nolensville Pike, and Murfreesboro Road. All of those are our major exits and entrance ways into the center of our city," she said.
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be accommodated on a shared-use path within the median, with crosswalks at two signalized intersections.
For more on the project, you can visit TDOT's website.
