Overpass opening signifies another step taken toward I-40 expansion completion

Tennessee Department of Transportation and Jones Brothers Construction took a significant step earlier this month in completing the expansion project for Interstate 40 through Jackson when it completed work on the Exit 83 overpass and opened all lanes up on Campbell Street and Old Medina Road.

The streets are one road that changes name when it crosses over the highway. It’s a four-lane road with a turn lane, but for more than a year, it had been a two-lane road while crews demolished and rebuilt each of the two bridges that comprise the overpass.

“That’s the last of the three bridges we’re replacing,” said Nichole Lawrence, communications specialist for TDOT. “There’s still work to be done on a couple of railroad bridges further east on the highway, but as far as overpasses and temporarily closing down exits so traffic can get through – that part is over for this project.”

The expansion project began in 2017 at the Exit 80 interchange where the Highway 45 By-Pass crosses the highway. The overpass at Exit 82 and Highland Avenue also had work done on it.

The Christmasville Road/Dr. F.E. Wright Drive overpass at Exit 85 near The Ballpark at Jackson didn’t need work as the highway’s right of way was already wide enough under that overpass.

When complete, the expansion will result in six lanes of traffic on the interstate from Exit 79 (Hollywood Drive) to Exit 87 (Highway 70).

“We’re still on schedule for the entire project to be complete in November,” Lawrence said. “And from now until it’s complete, we may still have closures of lanes, but we shouldn’t be totally shutting down an entire direction of traffic and diverting it off the highway.

“And there will still be some night work going on too.”

When asked about the driving problems through the construction problems that State Representative Chris Todd has said publicly he’s discussed with the TDOT Commissioner, Lawrence said adhering to the temporary speed limit signs would help with those issues.

“The signs are up there for a reason, and the main one is the safety of those working on the road,” Lawrence said. “But if you’re going slower than you normally go on an interstate highway, then the trip through that area will be easier on your vehicle too.

“We just want everyone on the road – drivers, riders, construction zone workers – to be safe and to get to their destination or home from work safely.”

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at editorbrandon.