A routine job putting in new power poles turned into a traffic mess Tuesday night after a crew struck a buried gas line near the I‑24 interchange at Medical Center Parkway, shutting down the westbound off‑ramp and closing two lanes on Medical Center Parkway. Emergency crews staged along the shoulder and at the ramp, choking traffic through one of Murfreesboro’s busiest medical and shopping corridors as first responders worked to secure the scene and check the extent of the leak.
The Murfreesboro Police Department said in a Facebook post that workers installing power poles near Medical Center Parkway and I‑24 hit a gas line, prompting the closure of the westbound I‑24 off‑ramp at the interchange. According to the post, Medical Center Parkway had two lanes shut down with only one inbound lane open, and emergency personnel were expected to be on site for three to four hours. Drivers were warned to brace for major delays, use alternate routes, and move carefully through the area if they could not avoid it.
Closures add pressure to a busy interchange
The closure hits at Exit 76 on I‑24, the Medical Center Parkway/Fortress Boulevard interchange that funnels traffic to Murfreesboro’s hospital campus and a cluster of shopping centers. The Tennessee Department of Transportation incident‑management guidance notes that crashes or closures at this interchange can push traffic to I‑840 and state routes such as SR‑96, often stretching commute times. The City of Murfreesboro is also in the middle of a multi‑phase widening of Medical Center Parkway, a lengthy project that keeps construction active in the corridor and makes emergency traffic control even trickier.
What drivers should do?
Drivers heading west on I‑24 toward Murfreesboro should plan for slowdowns on the interstate and ramps and consider using I‑840 or surface streets until the ramp reopens. Give emergency crews and utility workers plenty of space, and avoid stopping on ramps or shoulders unless directed; clear access helps responders contain the leak and restore normal traffic sooner. If you have to move through the area, build in extra time and follow instructions from officers on scene.
At the time of the police post, authorities had not reported any injuries or evacuations, and utility crews were working to secure the gas line and assess the damage. Officials continued to urge motorists to steer clear of the area while work was underway and to monitor official channels for updates. We will update this story as agencies release more information.
