State launches new program to fix wear and tear on Middle Tennessee roads

Middle Tennessee experienced one of its harshest winters to date — and the proof is in the pavement.

The dangerous combination of heavy rainfall and flash freezing eroded multiple roads. Fifty-four locations were already scheduled for pothole repairs this year before emergency re-pavement projects were added in March. Now, the state Department of Transportation announced 10 more sections on I-40, I-24 and I-65 will undergo re-pavement as a preventative measure.

“We are going to deal with potholes every year. But repaving these roads earlier than originally planned should prevent deterioration as we saw this past winter,” says Paul Degges, the chief engineer in the department.

Construction will typically take place in the evening between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid disrupting traffic, Degges adds. The goal is to finish all the projects before Thanksgiving.

The additional repaving projects will take place in the locations below:

• Briley Parkway, Davidson County (from McGavock Pike to I-65)
• I-40, Davidson County (from US 70 to Charlotte Pike)
• I-40, Wilson County (from east of 840 to east of US 70 / east of US 70 to Smith County line)
• I-40, Smith County (from Wilson County line to east of SR 53)
• I-24, Rutherford County (from Medical Center Parkway to Stones River)
• I-24, Rutherford and Bedford Counties (from east of Epps Mill to Coffee County line)
• I-65, Robertson County (from Sumner County line to Honey Run Creek Bridge)
• I-65, Maury County (from Marshall County line to near SR 99)
• I-40, Cheatham County (from Williamson County line to Davidson County line)