The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) has made a decisive move to address community concerns over speeding and the lack of safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists. In a press release, the department unveiled the selection of 25 neighborhood streets set to undergo traffic calming improvements in Spring 2025. The initiative comes as a response to over 600 applications from residents eager to slow down traffic and boost safety measures for non-drivers.
Neighborhood streets poised for these upgrades were selected based on a series of criteria, including current vehicular speed, traffic volume, as well as the need for better accommodations for those on foot or bicycle. The presence of community hubs like parks, schools, libraries, and community centers also played a key role in the decision process. Before any project breaks ground, NDOT plans to involve local stakeholders by holding meetings headed by the respective council members and neighborhood organizations, ensuring residents have their say in the matter.
After these initial discussions, residents will receive online ballots in the form of mailers to cast their vote on the proposed projects – a critical step to move from planning to action. Per NDOT's framework, a project must secure at least a 66% approval rate among voting participants before construction gets the green light. This community-centric approach intends to reflect the priorities and concerns of those who walk these streets every day.
The proposed traffic calming measures, detailed in the NDOT’s Neighborhood Street Traffic Calming Toolkit, include implementing features such as speed cushions, the narrowing of streets, and the installation of traffic circles at strategic intersections.
