Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation have asked for public input to help with a study aimed at improving Interstate 65.
The goal of the I-65 Multimodal Corridor Study is to find better ways to manage congestion, improve safety, maximize the potential for freight diversion and preserve/enhance the corridor's economic benefits.
The department has teamed up with traffic planning and development consultants with Gresham Smith & Partners. For the past few months, the team gathered data on the current condition and future projections of I-65.
In its first meeting, experts presented the new data to dozens of people as part of its 18-month study.
There are a little more than 120 miles from Kentucky to Alabama with 1,260 miles of freeway lanes and 40 interchanges.
About 763,000 vehicles travel on I-65 everyday, but computer models show the number will go over one million by 2040.
Kevin Tilsbury of Gresham Smith & Partners said in the meeting that 650,000 people live within five miles of an I-65 interchange, but with massive developments, one million Tennesseans are expected to live by the interstate by 2040.
It takes about 25 to 30 minutes to travel to downtown Nashville from Franklin right now but is expected to reach 55 to 60 minutes by 25 years.
Travel time to downtown from Hendersonville is expected to increase ten minutes by 2040.
The study also shows that due to more businesses popping up outside of Davidson County, the number of commuters traveling to and away from Nashville will nearly match.
"Congestion is the name of the game because that's what is affecting daily life," Tilbury told NewsChannel 5.
The study should be finished by next summer with recommendations. TDOT also conducted a corridor study on Interstate 24. Click on this link for the report.
Drivers can voice their opinions by filling out a survey or attend a meeting. Click here to fill out that survey.
The next two public meetings were set for:
- Tuesday, October 25 at Portland High School from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 15 at Williamson County Public Library from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
