Groundbreaking began yesterday morning for the construction of the new State Route 109 Portland Bypass in Sumner County, Tennessee. State and local officials gathered to mark the start of the $88.9 million project, awarded to Scotty’s Contracting & Stone. The first phase aims to reduce traffic congestion in the city of Portland.
Supported by the Transport Modernization Act and funding from the state’s General Fund, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is advancing infrastructure improvements across the region. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the investment will improve connections and accessibility for communities across the state.
Phase 1 includes two travel lanes in each direction along 3.9 miles of roadway and a partial folded diamond interchange at State Route 52. Plans also include connector roads such as the Kirby Drive extension and a single-span bridge over College Street to better accommodate truck traffic. State Route 52 will be widened to five lanes in select sections.
Local leaders, including Portland Mayor Mike Callis, noted the project’s expected improvements to safety and access. Construction for this phase is scheduled for completion in spring 2028, with Phase 2 beginning soon after. Right-of-way acquisition for the second phase is currently underway, and construction on the southern section is expected to begin in Fiscal Year 2028. The bypass is part of a larger effort to support infrastructure growth and mobility in Sumner County.
