State Route 99 (New Salem Highway)
Rutherford CountyPlans to improve State Route (SR) 99 (New Salem Highway) from Veterans Parkway (SW Loop) to SR 96 (Old Fort Parkway) in Murfreesboro consist of widening the two-lane roadway to a five-lane facility, allowing for a dedicated center turn lane.
The proposed improvements cover approximately seven miles, but exclude the area within the I-24 interchange, as that section was previously widened under a separate project. Planned improvements will address safety, mobility, and operation of the route by enhancing access to both residential and commercial sites and by increasing roadway capacity to meet current and future traffic needs.
SR 99 is an urban arterial route that was added to the state road system in 1931. Today, it connects the City of Murfreesboro to developing areas southwest of the city and beyond. The increase in residential and commercial developments along the SR 99 corridor has increased traffic demand.
Planned improvements will address safety, mobility, and operation of the route by enhancing access to both residential and commercial sites and by increasing roadway capacity to meet current and future traffic needs.
Current Status: The segment from west of Veterans Parkway (SW Loop) to Cason Lane is in the right-of-way (ROW) acquisition process. From I-224 to SR 96, construction is underway.
Estimated construction start: [insert estimated construction start date. Once construction has started, the term “estimated” should be removed.
Estimated completion*: Section I-24 to SR 96 (Old Fort Parkway): Fall 2023. The segment from Cason Lane to I-24 is complete.

History and Background
The existing route is a two-lane highway with turn lanes at various intersections. The proposed project will widen the roadway to five lanes with two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, a 12-foot center turn lane, and 12-foot shoulders with curbs and sidewalks. The minimum right-of-way width will be 108 feet with permanent and temporary easements as needed.
Improvements along SR 99 have been divided into three sections:
From west of Veterans Parkway (SW Loop) to Cason Lane
The proposed project widens SR 99 approximately 2.4 miles, from west of Veterans Parkway to Cason Lane, including the widening of the existing box bridges on SR 99 over Armstrong Branch and on Old Salem Road over Puckett Creek. The existing signals at the Veterans Parkway and St. Andrews Drive intersections will be improved. Signal modifications at the Cason Lane intersection will be included in a separate widening project (from Cason Lane to I-24). This section is currently in the right-of-way acquisition phase.
From Cason Lane to I-24
The proposed project widens SR 99 approximately 2.0 miles, from west of Cason Lane to east of Warrior Drive near I-24, including the widening of the existing bridge over the West Fork Stones River. (NOTE: While the bridge is being widened, the existing greenway underneath will be closed.) The four existing signalized intersections within the project limits will be improved.
From I-24 to SR-96 (Old Fort Parkway)
The proposed project widens SR 99 from east of I-24, near West Molloy Lane / Middle Tennessee Boulevard, to the intersection of SR 96 (Old Fort Parkway). The existing signalized intersections within the project limits will be improved. Additional turn lanes will be provided at SR 96.

Key Project Milestones
Transportation projects are developed in four phases: Planning and Environmental, Design, Right-of-Way (ROW), and Construction. The following is a reflection of various aspects of these phases as they have occurred or will occur on the improvements of the three sections of State Route 99 (New Salem Highway). Improvements along SR 99 have been divided into three sections.
West of Veterans Parkway (SW Loop) to Cason Lane |
|
ROW Process |
Currently Underway |
Contract Award Date |
Pending Funding |
Cason Lane to I-24 |
|
Contract Award Date |
March 2018 |
Completion Date |
September 2021 |
I-24 to SR 96 (Old Fort Parkway) |
|
ROW Process |
Completed |
Contract Awarded |
November 202 |
Construction Estimated Completion Date |
Fall 2023 |
Project Contacts
For questions regarding SR 99 from west of Veterans Parkway (SW Loop) to Cason Lane:
Bradley Martin, P.E.
TDOT Region 3 Project Development Manager
Phone: 615.350.4219
Email: Bradley.Martin@tn.gov
For questions regarding SR 99 from Cason Lane to I-24:
Vacant
TDOT Region 3 Community Relations Officer (media)
Phone: 615.350.4302
Email: TDOT.Communications.Office@tn.gov
Clint Carpenter (current construction)
Operations District Supervisor
Phone: 615.898.8005
Email: Clinton.Carpenter@tn.gov
For questions regarding SR 99 from I-24 to SR 96:
Jimme Bivens, P.E.
TDOT Roadway Design Division Assistant Director
Phone: 615.741.2725
Email: Jimmie.Bivens@tn.gov
*Subject to change