Tennessee DOT awards largest project in its history for I-65 widening

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has awarded the I-65 widening project from near State Route 25 to near State Route 109 in Robertson County to Jones Bros. LLC.

The middle Tennessee contractor had the lowest bid at $160 million, the largest in TDOT history, surpassing the $152 million I-440 Reconstruction project, according to a press release from TDOT.

The 9.68-mile widening project just north of Nashville includes a long list of improvements:

• One additional travel lane in each direction (6 total lanes)
• Replace & widen 10 bridges (5 mainline bridge pairs)
• Replace four overpasses (Byrum Chapel Rd., Highland Rd., widen SR 25 & SR 52 to 3 lanes)
• 17 retaining walls
• Convert the NB weigh station into truck parking
• Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) facilities throughout the corridor

“I-65 is a major north to south corridor serving many communities,” TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said in a statement. “This work will address congestion, improve safety and traffic operations, and accommodate current and future traffic demands.”

Highway construction will begin within the month and has a completion date of on or before December 2025. TDOT says there are financial incentives to finish early and penalties for any delays.

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SOURCE: Tennessee DOT