Commuters in Tennessee, buckle up for some changes on the road. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is embarking on a significant infrastructure project along Lamar Avenue (SR 4/US 78). Dement Construction Company has secured the $149.8 million contract to enhance a near 2-mile stretch from south of Shelby Drive to the Raines/Perkins interchange, as per an announcement on the TDOT website.
Starting Monday, August 5, Lamar Avenue will see nightly lane closures running from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am, while ensuring one lane remains open in each direction, this is a continuation of plans to widen the corridor from a 4-lane to a 6-lane divided highway, which will include modifications and the construction of a new interchange at Shelby Drive, according to the same TDOT news release. Project completion is ambitiously slated for the end of July 2028 with the final phase to be let come 2027.
These developments represent phase two in a three-phase project, with phase one wrapping up just last summer of 2023. The focus now shifts to not only expanding the avenue but also reshaping interchanges to improve traffic flow and access. Drivers should keep abreast of these changes by visiting TDOT's SmartWay Map for up-to-the-minute traffic updates or dialing 511 for travel information.
In the midst of these adjustments, the Tennessee Department of Transportation reminds motorists of the importance of road safety, especially in construction zones, and underscores the significance of the Move Over Law, featuring a penalty that includes the possibility of jail time and a sizable fine for violations, highlighting an ongoing effort to ensure driver and worker well-being during these expansive roadworks.
