State Route 109 (Portland Bypass)
Sumner County
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is proposing to construct a new segment of State Route 109, bypassing the City of Portland. The Portland Bypass will complement the other improvements that have been completed or are currently being planned and/or developed to improve safety and mobility along the entire SR 109 corridor. The Portland Bypass is a part of a larger effort to improve safety and mobility along the heavily traveled SR 109 corridor.
SR 109 is a strategic corridor, serving as the primary north-south connector between I-65 in Robertson and Sumner Counties and I-40 in Wilson County, northeast of downtown Nashville. The bypass is designed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on SR 109 through Portland, as well as providing regional accessibility to the interstate highway system. It would also address concerns with local growth and increased traffic, serving current and future transportation needs.
Due to the size of the proposed Portland Bypass, TDOT has split construction on this project into two segments, one south of SR 52 and one north of SR 52. Both segments are identified for funding in TDOT's 10-Year Project Plan.
Current Status: Right-of-way activities and utility deconfliction are currently underway along the entire project footprint.
Estimated construction start: The north segment is scheduled for construction in Fiscal Year 2025. The south segment is scheduled for construction in Fiscal Year 2031.
Estimated completion: TBD
History and Background
The Portland Bypass project includes the construction of a four-lane, partial access controlled facility extending west of downtown Portland from existing SR 109 south of SR 76, northward to existing SR 109 (North Broadway) north of downtown Portland. Each of the four traffic lanes would be 12 feet wide. Outside shoulders would be 12 feet wide (10-foot paved, 2-foot gravel) and inside shoulders would be 6 feet wide (4-foot paved, 2-foot gravel), as part of a 48-foot grass median. The project length is 7.2 miles, and the right-of-way width is approximately 250 feet.
Various design options, or build alternatives, were studied regarding the construction of the proposed Portland Bypass. Outlined below are the specific design features of the Selected Build Alternative.
Flyover Ramp
o A flyover ramp is proposed at the southern end of the project to provide unimpeded access for southbound traffic on the existing SR 109 to merge with bypass traffic before continuing south on SR 109.
SR 52/Portland Bypass Interchange
o A grade-separated, partial folded diamond interchange is proposed at SR 52, with most ramps located south of SR 52. The exit ramp from the southbound bypass lanes to SR 52 would be located in the northwest quadrant of the interchange.
At-Grade Access Points (Existing Connector Roads)*
o The proposed design includes several access points where the bypass intersects with SR 76, Jackson Road, Collins Road (west of bypass), College Street, T.G.T. Road, and Kenwood Drive (west of bypass).
At–Grade Access Points (New Connector Roads)*
o Kirby Drive – Existing Kirby Drive would be extended westward to connect to the bypass on a new alignment. This new connector would serve truck traffic traveling to and from the industrial/warehousing facilities located in the Kirby Drive vicinity, as well as residents and businesses within the northern sections of Portland.
o Woods Road – Existing Woods Road would be shifted southward to connect to the bypass directly across from Kenwood Drive, providing a more perpendicular intersection than the current SR 109/Woods Road intersection. This new connector would also provide direct access to the bypass for a proposed fire station near the existing SR 109/Woods Road intersection.
*The locations and types of traffic control features, such as traffic signals and stop signs, for intersecting roadways would be determined during the final design phase and based on traffic projections and other design factors.
SR 52 Widening and Sidewalk Construction
o A section of SR 52 would be widened to five lanes from near West Market Street (westward) to west of the proposed SR 52/bypass interchange. Widening is needed to accommodate the expected increase in traffic on that section of SR 52 once the bypass is constructed.
o As part of the proposed bypass project and widening of SR 52, sidewalks would be considered along a portion of the widened SR 52. Sidewalks constructed between West Market Street and Searcy Lane would correspond with existing and planned sidewalks within the City of Portland. Final plans for sidewalks would be determined during the final design phase and in coordination with local officials.
Project Imagery & Visuals
A Public Design Meeting was held on Thursday, August 15, 2019, at Portland High School, 600 College Street, Portland, TN, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the public with an update on the project and to receive comments on the proposed design.
Public Design Meeting Presentation (pdf)
Public Design Meeting Handout (pdf)
Northern Section (pdf)
Collins Road Intersection (pdf)
SR 76 and Jackson Road Intersections (pdf)
Southern Tie-In to Existing 109 (pdf)
A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Public Hearing was held on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Portland High School, 600 College Street, Portland, TN, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the public an opportunity to provide input on the approved Environmental Assessment (EA) prior to completion of the final environmental document.
Public Hearing Presentation (ppt)
A Public Information Meeting was held on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at Portland High School, 600 College Street, Portland, TN, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the public with an update on the project and to receive comments on the purpose and need for the project.
Environment
An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued for the proposed project as part of the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Both documents were approved by FHWA and are available to view and/or download in the links provided below.
Approved Environmental Assessment - September 14, 2015 (PDF)
Approved Finding of No Significant Impact - July 3, 2017 (PDF)
Project Materials
Project Contacts
Rebekah Hammonds
TDOT Region 3 Community Relations Officer
Rebekah.Hammonds@tn.gov
Casey Pounders, P.E.
TDOT Region 3 Project Manager
Email: casey.pounders@tn.gov