NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It's a project that's been years in the making, but a busy south Nashville road could finally be expanded.
Residents filled the gym at May Werthan Shaye Elementary School in South Nashville Thursday night to learn about the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s plans to widen part of Nolensville Road.
TDOT plans to widen 4.4 miles of Nolensville Road in two phases. The first, will be from north of Mill Creek to near Old Hickory Boulevard, and phase two will include Burkitt Road to north of Mill Creek.
The entire section will grow from two lanes to five.
“There will be two lanes in each direction and a turning lane, plus sidewalks and a bike lane,” said Heather Jenson, Spokesperson for TDOT. “This will make a tremendous difference for folks in this area.”
Fabian Bedne, Metro Council Member for District 31, said the area has been rapidly growing for years, with multiple new commercial and residential developments moving in. Now better infrastructure is needed.
“Traffic is terrible,” said Bedne. “People are always stuck in traffic. It hurts the quality of life, but it also hurts the potential for development in the area.”
TDOT estimates 21,000 cars travel on Nolensville Road each day, and that number will grow to 31,000 by 2036.
At the meeting, residents had a chance to get a closer look at the plans, and ask questions about the project. TDOT said all of the comments and feedback provided will help create the final plan for the project.
Most residents appeared to be in support of the project.
“It will cut down on the traffic that comes through here, and I can actually get out of my subdivision in a reasonable period of time,” said Sharon Littrell, who travels on Nolensville Road daily.
TDOT officials said the project will be a lengthy one. They hope to have plans and geotechnical and environmental work done by the end of 2015. Beginning in 2016, right-of-way acquisitions will begin.
Once construction begins, it could take at least two years to complete the project.
TDOT officials said the total cost of construction is still unknown.
For more information, or to offer feedback on the project visit: http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/sr11/
