Tennessee Department of Transportation officials announced they would be exploring the option of segmented closures to expedite the reconstruction of Interstate 440.
TDOT is using the Design-Build method to deliver the I-440 Reconstruction Project.
Four Design-Build teams are preparing proposals that will include final design of the project, plans for how it will be constructed, and a bid amount. TDOT will then select the proposal that is the most cost effective and provides maximum benefit to the Nashville community.
TDOT has placed the following stipulations on proposals for any segmented closures of I-440:
- Closures would occur in two segments, with only one segment being closed at any given time.
- The first segment includes I-440 East and West from the I-65 junction to the I-24 junction.
- The second segment includes I-440 East and West from the I-65 junction to the I-40 junction.
- The first segment closure could begin as early as January 2019, lasting for approximately three months.
- The second segment closure would follow, and would be required to be open to traffic by mid-November 2019.
- $400,000 per day penalties would be assessed against the contractor if the opening date is not met.
Preliminary traffic models have shown that reducing I-440 to two lanes in each direction for a three year period would result in near-constant heavy traffic queues on I-440 and dramatically increase congestion on surrounding routes.
The Design-Build teams will submit their final proposals in July. TDOT hopes to award the I-440 Reconstruction Project contract in August, with preliminary construction work beginning by November 2018.
