Rejoice: I-440 To Be Patched Ahead Of Major Reconstruction

NASHVILLE, TN -- This just in: Interstate 440 is in bad shape.

Nashville's notorious loop road has been the butt of jokes and a source of frustration for years, with its asphalt better suited for lunar rovers than Land Rovers and its standstill traffic. This winter's pothole-ocalypse made things even worth, opening up sedan-swelling craters.

TDOT hears your cries.

The state transportation department announced Monday that it will patch potholes on I-440 starting later this month, mostly because the road will not withstand the extra stress generated by the long-awaited reconstruction project beginning this summer:

The intense freeze-thaw cycles and heavy winter rains in 2018 have taken a toll on the already deteriorating concrete surface of I-440. The current roadway will need to be able to withstand upcoming construction activities, its standard heavy volume of traffic, as well as at least one additional winter, before drivers are riding on new asphalt.

Once the contract for the I-440 reconstruction project is awarded this summer, TDOT will require the contractor to maintain the improved surface conditions for the duration of construction. With this work to improve the driving surface on the front end, the contractor will be able to spend less time patching potholes and more time on the major construction activities.

Beginning the week of April 16, crews will be placing asphalt patches of 500 feet or longer on the roughest areas of the corridor. The work will be done at night to minimize impacts on traffic.

The major reconstruction project, which is now in the bid stage, is expected to take three years to complete.

The pothole patching (hopefully) won't take nearly as long.

Image via TDOT