State Route 99 (New Salem Highway)

Overview

Plans to improve State Route 99 (New Salem Highway), from Veterans Parkway (SW Loop) to State Route 96 (Old Fort Parkway) in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, 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 Interstate 24 interchange, as that section was previously widened under a separate project

Purpose and Need

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.

Design

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. This section is currently in the construction phase with an estimated completion date of August 2021.

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. Construction for this section is forecasted for FY 2020 pending funding.