TDOT Celebrates Completion of New I-40 Interchange at Academy Road in Cookeville
Cookeville, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer joined state and local officials on Wednesday, June 20, to celebrate the completion of the new interchange on Interstate 40 at Academy Road (formerly Mine Lick Creek Road) in Putnam County. The interchange is often referred to by the citizens of Cookeville as the 5th Interchange.
Wednesday's ribbing cutting marked the end of a two-year project that began in February 2016. Construction of the new interchange on I-40 at mile marker 283 also includes grading, drainage, and paving of Mine Lick Creek Road, a State Industrial Access Road now known as Academy Road, as well as the construction of two new concrete bulb-tee bridges.
The $23.4 million project, constructed by Charles Blalock and Sons, Inc. of Sevierville, Tennessee, is one of many projects completed in the growing area. The city of Cookeville recently completed two Local Interchange Connector projects that were constructed in conjunction with TDOT’s interchange project; and TDOT completed a $1.9 million State Industrial Access project on Bennett Road (now known as Tennessee Avenue) in 2016.
“We are extremely pleased to be here with our state and local partners and the citizens of Cookeville and Putnam County to celebrate the completion of this important project,” said Commissioner Schroer. “The new interchange and the improved connector roads have already proven to be beneficial in increasing economic development in the area with the opening of the Academy Sports + Outdoors distribution center. This successful collaboration shows that partnership, persistence and teamwork pays off.”
Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) and Representatives Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) and Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) represent Putnam County in the Tennessee General Assembly.
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