On Thursday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced it would be working with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) and Superior Construction to accelerate the construction of the I-40/SR 255 Interchange.
The airport authority has agreed to pay up to $6 million in incentives to Superior Construction if the project is completed a year ahead of schedule.
“I’m thankful for the support of our Board of Commissioners and the partnership we continue to build with TDOT,” Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of MNAA, said. “As Nashville and the state of Tennessee continue to grow, we need to explore more creative ways to deliver outstanding service to the traveling public.”
TDOT and MNAA officials said they support the opportunity for acceleration, because the interchange has continued to be a trouble spot over the last few months. Reconstruction of the interchange will increase capacity and improve the interchange’s operation.
“The department’s partnership with the airport authority is an example of creative solutions that benefit Tennesseans,” Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer Will Reid, said. “We support efforts to expedite this project which will ease congestion around the airport and provide a safer, more reliable traveling experience on our roads.”
The completed project will allow drivers to travel on a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and newly constructed State Route 255. Completing the project ahead of schedule will improve the safety of the interchange and surrounding routes, as well as allow the airport to start the next phase of its expansion project.