TDOT Update on I-65N/I-40W Bridge Crash in Downtown Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – At 11:56 a.m., a tractor trailer hauling a construction water truck crashed into the I-40 eastbound overpass on I-65 northbound in downtown Nashville, causing severe damage to one of the five bridge beams. The truck was not properly permitted to be on any middle Tennessee area roadways.

TDOT and contract crews will be working tonight to make the necessary repairs to safely open the bridge to traffic on I-65 northbound/I-40 westbound and I-40 eastbound. TDOT anticipates opening the area to traffic in the next 24 hours. An estimate is not currently available for permanent repairs, but that work may take several months.

Before crews can remove the truck from underneath the bridge, crews will need to build shoring towers on each shoulder to provide additional support. Once this is complete, crews will need to remove the truck and the damaged bridge beam. Striping on top of the bridge will be removed and repainted to move traffic off of the area of the damaged beam.

Since the exact time for the roadway opening isn’t known at this time, drivers going to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon on Saturday morning are advised to check overhead message boards for route information and allow extra time to get to the event. TDOT’s Smartway website will also have up-to-date information regarding the road closures - https://smartway.tn.gov/.

Currently I-65 northbound traffic heading to downtown is being routed to I-40 eastbound at the I-40 split. I-40 eastbound traffic on west side of the bridge crash is being routed to I-65 southbound, as well as I-40 westbound traffic on east side of the bridge.