T-DOT has pushed back the completion of the I-40 widening between Cookeville and Monterey to somewhere in 2032.
T-DOT Regional Communications Officer Rae-Anne Bradley said the project is part of the department’s 10-year plan and remains in the very early stages of development. Bradley said construction slated to begin in late 2029 or early 2030.
“These dates and times and schedule is still very preliminary and subject to change as the project and its planning efforts progress,” Bradley said. “So, you know at the moment, traffic counts and forecasting studies are underway.”
Bradley said the department is currently in the process of hiring an engineering consultant to handle data collection, analysis and design services. Bradley said the preliminary engineering phase for the corridor is scheduled to begin this summer.
Bradley said the right-of-way acquisition phase should start in late 2028.
“Because this stretch is so close to several local roads and interstate ramps, you know the goal for us is to examine the traffic patterns through there and and then develop a design that improves safety and relieves congestion throughout this section,” Bradley said. “So again, at this stage it’s still way too early for any specific design details, but these early studies and the upcoming engineering phase will help guide us as to what those improvements should and ultimately will look like.”
Additionally, Bradley said the TDOT South Jefferson Ave project that runs along South Jefferson Avenue, from the Interstate Drive and Neal Street area under I-40 to Bunker Hill Road and Ferrell Drive, is well underway.
“We understand that this is an area that does see congestion and we just ask folks to be patient with us as we work as quickly and efficiently as possible to facilitate improvements in this area,” Bradley said.
Bradley said the concept design division is currently leading the studies in the corridor for the Monterey project. Bradley said any crews or equipment residents see in the area are likely performing early data collection work to inform the future design.
“Without knowing what the design is going to look like it would be hard to speak specifically to the safety improvements and exactly how it’s going to alleviate the congestion,” Bradley said. “But those are the goals.”
