News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
In spite of a construction delay, the new I-40 interchange is progressing.
TDOT spokesman Jennifer Flynn said project completion was pushed back to April after the contractor asked for a delay. Utility lines being installed along the project route were delayed by the supplier, Flynn said.
In spite of that, the eastbound ramps will be opened shortly after Labor Day, Flynn said.
“Crews are going to be installing guardrail and that should start next week, Tuesday through Thursday,” Flynn said.
Only the eastbound ramps will be open, Flynn said. The bridge will continue to be closed as work moves forward on the westbound ramps.
“They’re working on placing the permanent signs for eastbound I-40 and they’ll be installing the cantilever arms for the traffic signals, which probably won’t be fully operational by the time the ramps are open, but they’ll be up there anyway,” Flynn said.
The new interchange is a cooperative project between the city of Cookeville and TDOT. Cookeville is constructing the connecting road while TDOT builds a $23 million interchange on I-40.
