IMPROVE projects underway affect traffic patterns

JACKSON Tenn (Oct. 11, 2017) – IMPROVE Act projects have begun in Jackson. If you have driven the 45 Bypass near Carriage House Drive you have seen the construction underway. The changes are part of the IMPROVE Act being funded by the Gas Tax increase approved by the legislature.

Tennessee Department of Transportation, Community Relations Director, Nicole Lawrence was in Jackson on Wednesday. She spoke with 101.5 Afternoon Show about the I-40 US 45 bypass $67 million 1st phase construction.

The proposed improvements to the interchange at Interstate 40 and US 45 Bypass/Keith Short Bypass will consist of replacing the current facility, which involves building a new bridge over I-40, removing the cloverleaf ramps, and widening I-40 for approximately 2.9 miles.

Additionally, intersection improvements will be made at Casey Jones Lane/Carriage House Drive to allow left turn movements. The I-40 bridges at US 45/North Highland Avenue will also be replaced.

SR 186 (US 45 Bypass) is important north-south connector in the city of Jackson. It is considered a primary route from the central Business District to I-40. The route is densely commercial, including Casey Jones Village, which the Department of Tourism notes as one of the state’s top ten tourist attractions.

The purpose of this 1st phase project is to modify the I-40 interchange at US 45 Bypass including intersection improvements at Casey Jones Lane/Carriage House Drive.

The planned improvements are:

widen I-40 from four to six lanes (three lanes in each direction) approximately 2.9 miles
replace the US 45 Bypass bridge over I-40
remove existing cloverleaf ramps
construct ramps and install signals at ramp ends
improve the intersection of SR 186 (US 45 Bypass) at Casey Jones Lane/Carriage House Drive
construct turn lanes to allow left turns from Casey Jones Lane

Nicole Lawrence said the schedule completion date of the I-40 interchange at US 45 Bypass is May 2018. The improvements are meant to help accommodate current and future traffic demands which is expected to increase from the current 40,000 vehicles daily to over 70,000 vehicles per day by 2033.

KEITH SHERLEY
EMAIL: [email protected]
TWITTER: @keithsherley