4 Hurt In Huge I-440 Crash; Safety Improvements Planned

NASHVILLE, TN — A crash involving a semi-truck and eight other vehicles injured four people Tuesday morning on Interstate 440, snarling the already-congested loop for hours.

The tractor-trailer lost control, hitting the other cars shortly before 10 a.m. where I-440 meets Granny White Pike. Initially, traffic was closed in both directions, with westbound lanes not re-opening until mid-afternoon.

Four people were taken to the hospital with injuries.

The wreck highlighted ongoing safety concerns with the road Nashvillians love to hate. Surfaced in concrete rather than the more standard asphalt, it's been subject to complaint nearly from the moment it opened in 1987. As a concession to Nashvillians concerned about air quality and noise, the road was built in what is essentially a man-made canyon, forcing crews to blast through limestone, ultimately making it the costliest road project in the state's history. While its absorbed traffic from the city's other interstates, its often congested — even at hours where congestion is unexpected — and stretches have major drainage problems, plus the concrete surface has eroded, making 440 one of the bumpiest rides in the city.

But much of that will change when the Tennessee Department of Transportation begins upgrading the road next year, replacing the concrete with asphalt, widening the road from four lanes to six, improving drainage and replacing the grassy median with concrete barriers.

The state is taking proposals for the project now, with work — which will require weekend closures — expected to begin next summer.

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