Closing of an entrance ramp, a new exit to King Boulevard and recurring lane shifts are expected to snarl traffic on U.S. 27 South from Friday evening until Monday morning, a news release states.
Motorists are urged to avoid U.S 27 South if possible this weekend, and those who must travel it need to be alert to changing conditions, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The contractor will begin shifting traffic at 7 p.m. EDT Friday, though weather could prevent that until Saturday, and traffic is expected to be in its new pattern by Monday morning.
The work will result in a new traffic pattern between the Interstate 24 interchange and the 4th Street interchange. That will allow the contractor to complete work on the outside lanes of the project on the southbound side of U.S. 27, according to TDOT.
Closing of an entrance ramp, a new exit to King Boulevard and recurring lane shifts are expected to snarl traffic on U.S. 27 South.Traffic on U.S. 27 North will not be affected.
As part of the work, the entrance ramp from W. Main Street to U.S. 27 South will be closed to allow removal and replacement of the ramp's bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks. That closure may be in place for up to a year. Detours will be posted.
U.S. 27 South traffic will use a new exit between 4th Street and 6th Street to access M.L. King Boulevard. Traffic from King Boulevard to U.S. 27 South will be via an extended ramp that will merge onto U.S. Highway 27 South just north of Main Street.
The changes are expected to be in place throughout the better part of 2019, and minor changes at other ramps will occur.