Starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, the contractor on the $161 million phase 2 of the Interstate 75/Interstate 24 improvement project will begin work to implement a traffic shift on I-24 to create space for the construction of the new South Moore Road and McBrien Road bridges, according to state transportation officials.
(READ MORE: TDOT says I-24/South Broad project is on budget, headed for Aug. 31 finish)
Continuing for the next week, motorists should expect nightly lane closures between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. along I-24 between Germantown Road and Spring Creek Road, agency spokesperson Rae Anne Bradley said in a news release. The existing lanes will be narrowed from three 12-foot lanes to three 11-foot lanes and shifted to the center of the roadway, Bradley said.
“This will give the contractor room to construct retaining walls and other bridge features necessary for the replacement of the South Moore Road and McBrien Road bridges over I-24,” she said. “Furthermore, this shift will allow the contractor to begin construction of new (additional) lanes on I-24 and noise walls along the corridor.”
(READ MORE: I-75/Hamilton Place Interchange project to bid in October)
Once the lane shift is in place, traffic will remain in that pattern for about a year, and three lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times, Bradley said.
All the work is weather-dependent, so if inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances delay the work, it will be rescheduled for the next available date. The state agency urges drivers to reduce their speed through the work zone, follow posted signage and remain alert to changing traffic conditions.
— Compiled by Ben Benton