Nighttime Detours on I-65 and Major I-24 Choice Lane Hearings Today

Nashville Traffic and Commute Overview: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Commuters in the Nashville metropolitan area should prepare for a mix of active construction zones and significant public transport updates this Thursday. As the city continues to implement the "Choose How You Move" program, several major arteries are seeing long-term improvements that may impact your daily travel times.

Major Roadworks and Interstate Alerts

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is currently managing several high-impact projects. Drivers should be particularly mindful of the following areas:

• I-65 Sumner County Widening: Following a bridge deck pour and southbound detour that concluded early this morning at 5:00 a.m., crews remain active in the area near Exit 98 (US-31W/Millersville). While lanes are open during the day, expect narrow shoulders and reduced speed limits through this construction zone. Similar nighttime closures are scheduled to resume next week.
• I-24 Paving Operations: Maintenance work continues on I-24 Westbound near White Creek Pike. Recent reports indicate potential lane closures in the two right lanes for paving adjustments. Commuters heading toward the North Nashville split should allow for an extra 10–15 minutes during the midday hours.
• East Bank Reconstruction: In the downtown core, work on James Robertson Parkway and the Victory Memorial Bridge is ongoing. This project, linked to the 550-acre East Bank development, involves lowering roadway approaches and may cause intermittent lane shifts near Interstate Drive.

Public Transit and Choice Lane Hearings

Today marks a critical day for the future of Nashville’s commute. TDOT is hosting a public hearing in Nashville regarding the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project. This multibillion-dollar initiative proposes new managed lanes between Nashville and Murfreesboro to address the sustained congestion in Davidson and Rutherford counties. Residents are encouraged to attend to review the Environmental Assessment findings.

For those using WeGo Public Transit, the Winter 2026 service expansions are now fully in effect. Riders on Route 3 (West End), Route 7 (Hillsboro), and Route 52 (Nolensville Pike) are benefiting from increased frequency and extended Sunday hours. However, be aware that WeGo is currently seeking public input for the Summer 2026 changes, with public meetings beginning later this month.

Safety and Accident Hotspots

A recent data analysis has identified three specific interchanges as high-risk zones for local drivers. Please exercise extreme caution, maintain safe following distances, and watch for abrupt braking at these locations:

• I-65 at Mile Marker 85 (near Rosa L. Parks Boulevard)
• I-24 at Mile Marker 62 (near Old Hickory Boulevard in Antioch)
• The I-40/I-24/I-440 interchange complex near Spence Lane

Stay safe on the roads and consider using the WeGo transit app for real-time bus tracking if you are looking to avoid interstate congestion today.