If you live in Nashville, it is hard to miss hearing about Tennessee State Route 840. 77.28 miles in length, the highway serves Dickson, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Lebanon. With the recent construction efforts and reopening, more drivers opt to take the route. However, with the increase in traffic, particularly with commercial trucks, the highway generates more congestion that can lead to more accidents. While you may know about the current situation about the road, do you know the history?
Timeline of Tennessee State Route 840
While many of us spend copious amounts of time on the highway, few actually consider the origins of the road they drive on. Who decided the location? How did the construction come about? We have listed a brief timeline to assuage some of your curiosity.
The brief history of Tennessee 840
- 1975: Tennessee 840 was recommended as a Nashville beltway and was included in the 1975-79 Tennessee Highway System Plan.
- 1986: Governor Lamar Alexander officially proposes the creation of the highway.
- 1988: Planning for the highway begins.
- 1991: Construction of Tennessee 840 begins. In November, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) proposes the highway be included in the Interstate Highway System and be named Interstate 840.
- 1992: TDOT withdraws request of I-840 and renames the highway State Route 840.
- SR 840 opens in segments:
- 1995 - From Stewarts’ Ferry Pike to I-40
- 1996 – From I 24 (Northeast) to Stewart’s Ferry Pike
- 2000 – From U.S. 31A/41A to I-40
- 2001 – From I-65 South to U.S. 31A/41A
- 2007: Construction on 6.1 mile strip of freeway between Tennessee 6 and Tennessee 100 began.
- 2008: Construction on a 7.9 mile strip of freeway between Tennessee 6 and Leipers Creek Road
- 2012: The full construction of the beltway concluded, costing $753 million.
- 2015: The Federal Highway Administration gave their approval for the highway to be renamed Interstate 840. As of 2016, TDOT still has not signed the approval.
With the recent reopening of SR 840 there have been many accidents. Auto and truck accidents on highways can be extremely dangerous. If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of another driver’s negligence, contact our Nashville personal injury attorneys at Kinnard Law.