I-440 Reconstruction Project Progress Update - December 2019

Ten months ago, crews began shifting traffic across the seven miles of I-440 to make room for heavy construction work in the inside lanes of the $152.9 million I-440 reconstruction project.                         

Since then, the contractor has crushed 220,000 tons of concrete, laid 225,000 tons of asphalt, and installed 2.2 million pounds of structural steel to widen the I-440 bridges over I-65.

235,000 man-hours have been logged in the field since March. The I-440 corridor has had construction activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for most weeks over the last ten months in order meet the accelerated project timeline.  

Many of contractor’s crews will be taking off for the next two weeks to get some rest and relaxation following the intensive work schedule in 2019.

Outlook for 2020

In early 2020, the remaining ramp repairs will be completed, as well as the noise wall repairs, and widening the I-440 bridges over I-65. In the spring, the contractor will need to close the I-65/I-440 interchange for one weekend in order to substantially complete the widening work. Then traffic will be switched on the bridge to facilitate the grading and roadway work on the outside alignment.

Once temperatures warm up, asphalt paving will resume, including the final layer of pavement which is currently targeted for early summer. Roadway lighting updates are also scheduled to wrap during this time, followed by final striping and sodding.

The project is still on track to be completed by the July 24, 2020 completion date.

The design-build project was let to contract in August 2018, calling for a complete reconstruction of the 7-mile I-440 corridor. The scope includes replacing deteriorated concrete with an asphalt roadway, installing a concrete barrier to replace the elevated median for enhanced roadway safety, and adding an additional lane in some areas to facilitate three travel lanes throughout the corridor.

For more information, please visit the project website: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/region-3/interstate-440.html