Construction on I-440 to wrap up one month ahead of schedule

I-440 roadway — Construction on I-440 has been ongoing since late 2018. (Dylan Skye Aycock/Community Impact Newspaper)

Construction on I-440 has been ongoing since late 2018. (Dylan Skye Aycock/Community Impact Newspaper)

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By Wendy Sturges | 10:25 AM Jun 23, 2020 CDT | Updated 10:25 AM Jun 23, 2020 CDT

The I-440 corridor will fully open July 2, one month ahead of schedule, according to a June 23 update from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Beginning June 24, crews will begin work to move cones and construction signs from the road, opening all lanes on the newly reconstructed corridor. Construction on the roadway has been ongoing since late 2018, according to TDOT.

The $154.8 million project is the largest in TDOT history, according to the announcement. The project replaced deteriorated concrete with asphalt from I-40 to I-24, creating three lanes in each direction and adding auxiliary lanes, lighting, landscaping and ramp improvements.

Instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, TDOT will celebrate the opening of the new roadway with a caravan event July 2.

By Wendy Sturges

A Houston native and graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Wendy Sturges has worked as a community journalist covering local government, health care, business and development since 2011. She has worked with Community Impact since 2015 as a reporter and editor and moved to Tennessee in 2019.