The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has laid out a series of nighttime roadway restrictions for bridge construction on Interstate 65 and US-31W in Sumner County. In an effort to reduce the impact on daily commuters and the flow of traffic, these closures will occur from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., commencing Sunday, November 16, and are expected to stretch across approximately 12 nights with a targeted completion date of December 4. This information was detailed in a recent announcement shared by TDOT.
As part of the I-65 Phase 3 Widening & Improvements project, which began earlier in March 2025, these nighttime closures will permit crews from Jones Bros. to set the steel beams crucial to the new I-65 overpass. Updates to construction progress and any potential changes in the schedule will be posted on the project website. The project itself is comprehensive, not only adding a travel lane in each direction but also replacing several bridges and undertaking sundry improvements throughout the stretch.
Disruptions will affect both I-65 and US-31W in alternating patterns as seen in the published closure schedule. For instance, on Sunday, November 16, I-65 southbound's inside lane will be closed while US-31W northbound will be completely shut down. Additionally, there will be full closures of I-65 northbound over US-31W on select dates. Detour signs will be posted to guide motorists, and specific instructions will be provided when such full closures are in effect, steering drivers off the interstate at the US-31W exit and back onto I-65 via entrance ramps. Recommended detours for US-31W traffic have been laid out by TDOT, guiding travelers through alternative routes.
Compliance with the Move Over Law is being highlighted by TDOT, a statute that commands drivers to reduce speed and switch lanes if safe to do so when approaching a work zone. Violations can carry penalties including jail time and hefty fines. Motorists facing any issues, such as potholes, can report them to TDOT by calling the TDOTFIX Hotline at 833-TDOTFIX or through the TDOT Maintenance Request online form. Real-time traffic updates and construction activity details are available through TDOT's SmartWay Map or the 511 travel information line.
