Nashville Connector

Nashville, Tennessee

This design-build project is the largest contract and design-build award in TDOT’s history. It included three bridge locations one being a fourth-level complex bridge spanning I-65, in addition to widening portions of I-440 for an added travel lane in each direction in a corridor with major interchanges on the east and west ends. Other work involved replacing existing concrete pavement with asphalt pavement for the entire mainline alignment, as well as, adding a lane in each direction by removing a center raised island. Geotechnical work includes rock fall mitigation and control, design of bridge deep foundations, sign and ITS structural supports and noise wall post foundations, bridge widening, drainage improvements, concrete ramp repairs, electrical, ITS, guardrail, signs and sign structures, building new noise walls, and replacement and repair of existing walls. The Kiewit team also performed rock fall mitigation, landscaping activities, erosion prevention, and sediment control.

This project required a comprehensive schedule, integrated with key stakeholder involvement, that would allow for the design and construction of this $155M project in less than 2 years. Extensive coordination took place with all utility stakeholders involved, including NES, TDOT ITS, Metro Nashville, and other 3rd party utilities. Widening of the existing I-440 over I-65 bridge also involved extensive collaboration with the CSX railroad and STV to approve of the design and work methods used to construct the bridge widening. This work also required shutting down the I-440/I-65 interchange for two full weekends which required detailed planning with TDOT and Metro Nashville PD to develop messaging and detour plans. Furthermore, this project worked 24/7 while maintaining traffic volumes of 100,000 vehicles per day. This required daily and weekly coordination with TDOT PI and others to ensure messaging to the traveling public was timely, informative and accurate.