State Route 99 (New Salem Highway)

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.