I-440 Reconstruction
Nashville, Tennessee
The reconstruction of I-440 vastly improved traffic near Nashville’s central business district.
The CEI team worked 24 hours a day, six and sometimes seven days a week to meet the aggressive schedule while the road remained open to motorists.
In 2018, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) awarded the contract for the I-440 reconstruction project, the largest TDOT project undertaken at the time. A bypass loop south of downtown Nashville, I-440 spans 7.5 miles around I-40, bisecting I-65, with exits to several of Nashville’s trendy neighborhoods. Originally constructed in 1987, the condition of I-440 was deteriorating even while traffic usage increased with Nashville’s population growth. The project was made possible by the Tennessee IMPROVE act, which was a gas and diesel tax passed in 2017 to set aside funds for significant transportation improvements across the state.
The construction contract was procured through the design build process. A separate Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) contract was solicited to consultants and our team was a key subconsultant as part of the winning team. Route improvements were designed to widen the interstate to three lanes throughout the entire length of the project. This was accomplished through the removal of an existing median separating the east- and westbound lanes.
Our involvement included construction engineering inspection (CEI) services, asphalt plant inspection, storm drainage, bridge inspection, and paving inspection. Other project team support provided lighting and ITS improvements, ramp widening and upgrades, and new noise walls along the route.
The project was truly a collaborative effort from all the firms involved. The CEI team worked 24 hours a day, six and sometimes seven days a week to meet the aggressive schedule while the road remained open to motorists. We utilized staff members from across the U.S. to bolster our workforce and effectively support TDOT. The whole team met on site daily to ensure everyone was aware of the project’s status and daily responsibilities.
Through constant communication with TDOT’s alternate delivery team, and a team-wide commitment to efficient, quality work, the reconstruction of I-440 was completed in July 2020, one month ahead of schedule.