Interstate 65 in Tennessee

From the AARoads Wiki: Read about the road before you go
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Interstate 65

Map
I-65 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by TDOT
Length121.71 mi[1] (195.87 km)
ExistedAugust 14, 1957[2]–present
HistoryCompleted October 26, 1973
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-65 / US 31 at Alabama state line
Major intersections
North end I-65 at Kentucky state line
Location
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
CountiesGiles, Marshall, Maury, Williamson, Davidson, Sumner, Robertson
Highway system
SR 64 SR 65

Interstate 65 (I-65) is part of the Interstate Highway System, which runs from runs 887.30 miles (1,427.97 km) from Mobile, Alabama, to Gary, Indiana. In Tennessee, I-65 traverses the middle portion of the state, running from Ardmore at the Alabama border to the Kentucky border near Portland. The route serves the state capital and largest city of Nashville, along with many of its suburbs. Outside of urban areas, the Interstate bypasses most cities and towns that it serves, instead providing access via state and U.S. Highways. The Interstate passes through the Highland Rim and Nashville Basin physiographic regions of Tennessee, and is often used as the dividing line between the eastern and western portions of the former.

Of the four states which I-65 runs through, the segment in Tennessee is the shortest, at 121.71 miles (195.87 km) long. I-65 parallels the older U.S. Route 31 (US 31) and US 31W corridors for its entire length in Tennessee. The first section of Interstate Highway constructed in Tennessee under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was the southernmost section of I-65, opened in 1958. The Interstate was completed between Nashville and the Alabama state line in 1967, and the final section, located in Nashville, opened in 1973. Since its completion, the rapid growth of the Nashville metropolitan area, as well as the general increase in traffic, has necessitated many widening and reconstruction projects. From 1971 to 2000, the Interstate had one auxiliary route, I-265, which was decommissioned when I-65 was rerouted to reduce congestion in Nashville.

Route description

I-65 is maintained by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), along with all other Interstate, US, and state highways in Tennessee. In 2022, annual average daily traffic (AADT) counts ranged from 18,886 vehicles per day at the Alabama state line (which is one of the lowest traffic volumes on any mainline Interstate Highway in Tennessee) to 177,202 vehicles per day on the concurrent section with I-24 in Nashville.[3]

Southern Highland Rim, Nashville Basin, and Nashville suburbs

I-65 near the Alabama state line. The extra right lane serves as an acceleration lane for trucks entering from a weigh station.

I-65 enters Tennessee from Alabama concurrent with US 31 in rural Giles County near the town of Ardmore. About 1.5 miles (2.4 km) later, near the town of Elkton, is an interchange with State Route 7 (SR 7), where US 31 splits off into a concurrency with that route, heading north toward Pulaski. Continuing through mostly rural territory characterized by slight rolling hills, I-65 gradually descends off of the Highland Rim into the Nashville Basin, and crosses the Elk River About 10 miles (16 km) later, the Interstate has an interchange with US 64, which serves Pulaski to the west and Fayetteville to the east. Continuing through further rural terrain, I-65 crosses into Marshall County about eight miles (13 km) later and immediately has an interchange with U.S. Route 31 Alternate (US 31A) near the town of Cornersville, which also serves as a connector to Lewisburg. Bypassing Lewisburg to the west, I-65 enters Maury County about 13 miles (21 km) later. Immediately beyond is an interchange with SR 50, which serves Columbia to the northwest and Lewisburg to the southeast. Bypassing Columbia to the east, I-65 crosses the Duck River about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) later and has an interchange with SR 99 and the eastern terminus of US 412 after some distance.[4]

I-65 northbound near Franklin

After about 7 miles (11 km), I-65 crosses into Williamson County and has an interchange with the eastern terminus of SR 396 (Saturn Parkway), a freeway spur that serves Spring Hill and the General Motors Spring Hill Manufacturing plant. After passing east of Spring Hill and the town of Thompson's Station, I-65 widens to six lanes and reaches a combination interchange with I-840, which serves as an outer southern bypass of Nashville. The freeway receives eight lanes from this interchange, with the left lanes serving as high-occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV lanes) during rush hour. I-65 has an interchange with the eastern terminus of SR 248 (Goose Creek Bypass) southeast of Franklin, one of the principal cities of the Nashville metropolitan area. Entering the eastern part of Franklin, the Interstate crosses the Harpeth River and has interchanges with SR 96 (a major arterial route that also serves Murfreesboro to the east), McEwen Drive, Cool Springs Boulevard, and SR 441 (Moores Lane). The highway then leaves Franklin, enters Brentwood, and has an interchange with SR 253 (Concord Road) a little over two miles (3.2 km) later. Passing through the center of Brentwood, the Interstate crosses into Davidson County about three miles (4.8 km) later and immediately has an interchange with SR 254 (Old Hickory Boulevard), which is considered the second Brentwood exit due to its extreme proximity. I-65 then continues into the southern neighborhoods of Nashville.[4]

Nashville to Kentucky

I-65 northbound in Brentwood near the Davidson County line

Entering the southern neighborhoods of Nashville, I-65 has an interchange with SR 255 (Harding Place) about three miles (4.8 km) later. The HOV lane restrictions then terminate, and I-65 widens to 10 lanes. The route then crosses SR 155 (Thompson Lane) and has a spaghetti junction four-level stack interchange with I-440, which serves as a southern bypass to downtown Nashville. At this interchange, I-65 reduces to six lanes, and, a little over two miles (3.2 km) later, enters downtown Nashville and begins a brief concurrency with I-40. The mile and exit numbers during the concurrency are numbered using I-40's mileage. Forming part of the Downtown Loop, the set of Interstate Highways that encircle downtown Nashville, the routes shift sharply to the west, before shifting to the northwest, and have interchanges with US 70 (Charlotte Avenue) and US 70S/US 431 (Broadway). About one mile (1.6 km) later, I-40 splits off to the west, heading toward Memphis, and I-65 curves sharply to the northeast, reaching an interchange with US 41A (Rosa L. Parks Boulevard) immediately beyond.[4]

I-65 southbound in Nashville concurrent with I-24

About one mile (1.6 km) later, the I-65 crosses the Cumberland River on the Lyle H. Fulton Memorial Bridge and then reaches an interchange with I-24, beginning a concurrency with that route and shifting into a northward direction. Unlike the concurrency with I-40, the I-65 mile and exit numbers are retained during this concurrency. Carrying eight lanes, the combined routes have an interchange with US 431 (Trinity Lane) just beyond. About 1.5 miles (2.4 km) later, I-24 splits off, heading northwest toward Clarksville, while I-65 shifts northeast, carrying a total of 10 throughlanes, the left lanes once again functioning as HOV lanes during rush hour. Slightly over one mile (1.6 km) later is a complicated interchange with US 31W/US 41, and SR 155 (Briley Parkway), the latter of which is a freeway that serves as a northern bypass around Nashville. A controlled-access section of US 31E (Ellington Parkway) that parallels I-65 and I-24 south of this interchange is also directly accessible here. The widest section of I-65 in Tennessee is found on the north side of this interchange, where the road briefly accommodates 15 throughlanes (eight northbound, seven southbound). The road passes through Madison and has an interchange with SR 45 (Old Hickory Boulevard) about two miles (3.2 km) later. A little over three miles (4.8 km) later, the Interstate reaches an interchange with SR 386 (Vietnam Veterans Boulevard) in Goodlettsville, a freeway spur which serves the Nashville suburbs of Hendersonville and Gallatin. At this interchange, I-65 reduces to six lanes, and the HOV restrictions terminate.[4]

A few miles after leaving the urban Nashville area, at an interchange with SR 174 (Long Hollow Pike), I-65 reduces back to four lanes and enters Sumner County. Immediately beyond is an interchange with US 31W near the city of Millersville. The freeway then enters a predominantly rural area and begins a steep ascent out of the Nashville Basin onto the northern part of the Highland Rim with the northbound lanes utilizing a truck climbing lane over a distance of about two miles (3.2 km). The Interstate then crosses into Robertson County, and, four miles (6.4 km) later, has an interchange with SR 76 in White House, which also serves Springfield to the west. Passing through rural terrain characterized mostly by farmland, I-65 reaches an interchange with SR 25 about five miles (8.0 km) later near the town of Cross Plains, which also connects to Springfield and Gallatin. The Interstate crosses the Red River twice in short succession, and, bypassing Portland to the west, reaches an interchange with SR 52. A few miles beyond this point, I-65 reaches an interchange with SR 109 northwest of Portland and then crosses into Kentucky about 12 mile (0.80 km) later.[4]

History

Predecessor highways

When Middle Tennessee was first settled by European Americans in the late 18th century, a series of Native American trails existed within what is now the I-65 corridor.[5] These gradually evolved into stagecoach paths which were used extensively by early settlers and travelers through the region.[6] In 1816, Congress approved the construction of a road between Nashville and New Orleans that also passed through Franklin and Columbia. Completed four years later, the road was named Jackson's Military Road after President Andrew Jackson, who had advocated for its construction during the Creek War. It ran east of the Natchez Trace, another Native American trail used by early settlers.[7][8] In the 1830s and 1840s, two toll roads were constructed between Nashville and Louisville. These two roads were designated as the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike also known as the L&N Turnpike, and roughly followed existing Native American trails.[9]

In 1911, Jackson's Military Road and the eastern branch of the L&N Turnpike were designated as part of the Jackson Highway, an auto trail.[10] The Dixie Highway, another auto trail, also ran through the area.[11] The Tennessee Department of Highways and Public Works, the predecessor agency to TDOT, was established in 1915 and tasked with establishing a state highway system. In 1923, with the formation of the Tennessee State Route System, the Jackson Highway was designated as part of SR 6, and SR 7 was applied to the road between Ardmore and Columbia. SR 6 was also applied to the eastern branch of the L&N Turnpike, with the western branch designated as part of SR 11 and 75.[12] When the United States Numbered Highway System was established by Congress in 1926, SR 6 and 7 between Nashville and Alabama were designated as part of US 31, and the L&N Turnpike was designated as US 31E and 31W.[13][14]

Planning and construction

I-65 near the Alabama state line was the first stretch of Interstate Highway in Tennessee, opened on November 15, 1958.

The general alignment for the freeway that became I-65 was included in the National Interregional Highway Committee's 1944 report, titled Interregional Highways, and a subsequent 1947 plan produced by the Public Roads Administration of the now-defunct Federal Works Agency.[15][16] The alignment was reaffirmed in a map produced by the Bureau of Public Roads, the predecessor agency to the Federal Highway Administration, in September 1955,[17] and I-65 was part of the original 1,047.6 miles (1,685.9 km) of Interstate Highways allocated to Tennessee by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, commonly known as the Interstate Highway Act.[18] The numbering was subsequently approved by the American Association of State Highway Officials on August 14, 1957.[2]

The southernmost 1.8 miles (2.9 km) of I-65 was the first section of Interstate Highway in Tennessee to begin construction and open to traffic after the passage of the Federal-Aid Highway Act.[19][a] Work began on this stretch on May 23, 1957,[20] and it was dedicated and opened to traffic on November 15, 1958.[21] Contractor McDowell and McDowell Construction built this stretch, including the figure-eight interchange with US 31 and SR 7, at a cost of $1.3 million (equivalent to $10.5 million in 2023[22]).[19] The next section to be constructed was the original alignment of I-65 in Nashville concurrent with I-24, stretching from the western I-24/I-40 interchange to US 41 (First Street). This section includes the Silliman Evans Bridge over the Cumberland River, which began construction in late April 1960,[23] and was partially opened in late December 1963.[24] On January 14, 1964, the remainder of this stretch was dedicated and opened.[25][26] The 19.4-mile (31.2 km) section between US 412/SR 99 in Columbia and SR 96 in Franklin was completed in December 1964.[27] On July 27, 1965, the 1.2-mile (1.9 km) Nashville section between US 41 (First Street) and US 431 (Trinity Lane) was opened; this section included the present-day southern exchange with I-24, which was not opened yet.[28] The stretch between SR 96 in Franklin and SR 255 (Harding Place) in south Nashville was declared complete on December 20, 1965.[29] On December 20, 1966, the 13.5-mile (21.7 km) section between SR 373 (then SR 50A) and U.S. 412/SR 99 opened to traffic.[30] The last segment between the Alabama state line and Nashville opened on November 22, 1967.[31][32] This was the second major stretch of Interstate Highway to be completed in Tennessee, after I-40 between Memphis and Nashville, completed the previous year.[33][34]

I-65 at the SR 25 interchange in September 1972, looking north. The section south of this interchange was completed three months later.

The 2.5-mile (4.0 km) section between US 431 (Trinity Lane) and US 41 (Dickerson Pike) in north Nashville was opened to traffic on December 23, 1968.[35][36] The adjacent 9-mile (14 km) section extending north to US 31W in Millersville opened on October 10, 1969.[37] On June 22, 1970, the 8.8-mile (14.2 km) section between SR 25 near Cross Plains and the Kentucky state line, along with the southernmost 2.5 miles (4.0 km) in Kentucky, was opened.[38][39] Work on the section in Nashville concurrent with I-40, along with the original alignment concurrent with that route, began in May 1969 and was dedicated and opened on March 3, 1972.[40] The two-mile (3.2 km) segment between Berry Road, near the present location of the I-440 interchange, and the split with I-40 south of downtown Nashville was opened on October 25, 1972.[41][42] The 14-mile (23 km) segment of I-65 between US 31W in Millersville and SR 25 near Cross Plains opened on December 15, 1972.[43] The final section of I-65 completed in Tennessee was the approximately 2.5-mile (4.0 km) section between SR 255 (Harding Place) and Berry Road, opened to traffic on October 26, 1973.[44]

Nashville area improvements

The short stretch between SR 255 and I-440 was widened to six lanes between August 1985 and November 1987 in a project that also involved the construction of a new interchange with Armory Drive.[45][46][47] The 9.7-mile (15.6 km) section between US 431 (Trinity Lane) in Nashville and SR 174 in Goodlettsville was widened to six lanes between December 1987 and November 1989.[48][49] The first HOV lanes in Tennessee opened on September 10, 1993, on the approximately eight-mile (13 km) section of I-65 between SR 255 in south Nashville and south of SR 253 in Brentwood with the completion of a project, begun on March 19, 1992, that widened that segment to four lanes in each direction.[50][51][52] Widening of the seven-mile (11 km) segment between SR 253 and SR 96 in Franklin from two to four lanes in each direction began in May 1996 and was completed in September 1997.[53]

In an effort to reduce congestion on the Inner Loop in Nashville, I-65 was rerouted from the eastern to the western leg of this loop, eliminating I-265.[54] Traffic studies had shown higher volumes and congestion on the western leg, and this project was undertaken to reduce this traffic and divert through traffic on I-65 onto the section that carried less traffic. In addition, the local government had advocated for the designation to be changed in order to help alleviate traffic congestion caused by motorists following I-65 through the city. This reroute moved the concurrency with I-40 to the west, and significantly shortened the I-24 concurrency. This reroute was announced on May 1, 2000,[54] and new designations officially went into effect on October 1 of that year with new signage complete by the end of that month.[55][56] As a result of this change, I-65 in Tennessee was lengthened by approximately 0.8 miles (1.3 km) longer than the original alignment, but mile markers north of Nashville were not renumbered.[54]

Reconstruction on the segment of I-65 between US 41 (Dickerson Pike) in north Nashville and SR 45 in Madison between early 2001 and early 2004 widened this segment from three to five lanes in each direction and improved the interchange with Briley Parkway, adding new flyover bridges and straightening ramps. The section between SR 45 and SR 386 near Goodlettsville was widened from three to five lanes in each direction between early 2002 and late 2005.[57] Work to widen the segment between US 431 (Trinity Lane) through the split with I-24 and US 41 (Dickerson Pike) began in October 2012 and was completed in May 2016 after multiple delays.[58]

In 2005, a project to widen the 6-mile (9.7 km) of I-65 from four to eight lanes between SR 96 and I-840 was moved from low to high priority upon the urging of local legislators and the city of Franklin.[59][60] This project was accomplished in two phases. The first, which began in November 2010 and was completed in April 2013 widened the 2-mile (3.2 km) section south of SR 96.[61] The second phase, which began on October 20, 2013, also included reconstruction of the interchange with SR 248, including widening the route through the interchange and lengthening the ramps.[62] On August 15, 2014, a gasoline tanker truck crashed into the partially-rebuilt SR 248 overpass and exploded, killing the driver and necessitating the replacement of this bridge.[63] Despite this setback, the project was completed and dedicated on schedule on June 15, 2016.[64]

Nashville to Kentucky widening

Widening occurring south of SR 25 in December 2021

Although the area along I-65 north of Nashville has not grown as fast as the suburbs to the south, this stretch of highway is part of a major north-south freight corridor between Atlanta and Chicago, and in addition to trucks, also receives a large amount of tourist traffic. As Kentucky widened their rural stretches of I-65 in the 2000s and 2010s, TDOT began to receive criticism for not widening the stretch between Nashville and the Kentucky state line.[65][66] As part of a project to construct a new interchange with an extension of the northern terminus of SR 109, the northernmost approximately one mile (1.6 km) of I-65 in Tennessee was widened to six lanes. The interchange opened on November 27, 2019,[67] and final work was completed in the spring of 2020.[68] Preliminary engineering for the remaining 23-mile (37 km) segment, which extends to SR 174 in Goodlettsville, first received funding under the IMPROVE Act, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2017. This legislation increased the state's fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees for the purpose of funding a backlog of 962 needed transportation projects. This stretch will be widened in four separate phases.[69]

The first phase, which began on September 30, 2021, widens the approximately 9.7-mile (15.6 km) segment between south of SR 25 and south of SR 109, and it is expected to be completed before December 2025.[70] At a cost of $160 million, this project is the most expensive individual contract ever awarded by TDOT.[71] In 2022, more than 340 crashes occurred along this stretch, making it the most dangerous work zone in the state.[72] In response, TDOT implemented additional safety measures along this stretch in May 2023, including stationing additional state troopers, additional warning signs, radar speed signs, and a reduction of the speed limit from 60 to 55 miles per hour (97 to 89 km/h).[73] The project was completed early with all lanes opened in September 2024.[74]

Exit list

CountyLocationmi[75][b]kmExitDestinationsNotes
GilesArdmore0.000.00

I-65 south / US 31 south – Huntsville
Continuation into Alabama
1.482.381 US 31 / SR 7 (Elkton Highway) – Ardmore, Pulaski, Lawrenceburg, HuntsvilleNorthern end of US 31 concurrency
Elkton6.2310.036 SR 273 (Bryson Road) – Elkton
Frankewing14.1422.7614 US 64 (SR 15) – Pulaski, Fayetteville
GilesMarshall
county line
22.5236.2422 US 31A (SR 11) – Lewisburg, Cornersville, Pulaski
Marshall27.2143.7927 SR 129 (Lynnville Road) – Lynnville, Cornersville
Lewisburg32.6652.5632 SR 373 (Mooresville Highway) – Lewisburg
MauryColumbia37.5460.4137 SR 50 (New Lewisburg Highway) – Columbia
46.2474.4246
US 412 west / SR 99 – Columbia, Chapel Hill
Eastern terminus of US 412
WilliamsonSpring Hill53.1885.5853
SR 396 west (Saturn Parkway) – Spring Hill
Eastern terminus of SR 396; trumpet interchange; opened on August 7, 1989[76]
55June Lake BoulevardDiverging diamond interchange; opened on May 31, 2024 [77][78]
Franklin59.1595.1959 I-840 – Memphis, Dickson, Knoxville, MurfreesboroI-840 exit 31; signed as exits 59A (east) and 59B (west); combination interchange; former SR 840; opened on October 18, 2001[79][80]
61.8199.4761
SR 248 west (Goose Creek Bypass) / Peytonsville Road – Spring Hill
Eastern terminus of SR 248
65.64105.6465 SR 96 (Murfreesboro Road) – Franklin
67.05107.9167McEwen DriveOpened on September 14, 2007[81]
68.01109.4568Cool Springs BoulevardSigned as exits 69A (east) and 68B (west)
Brentwood69.34111.5969 SR 441 (Moores Lane)Southbound exit to Galleria Boulevard
71.60115.2371 SR 253 (Concord Road) – BrentwoodOpened on November 18, 1988[82]
DavidsonNashvilleOak Hill line74.73120.2774 SR 254 (Old Hickory Boulevard) – BrentwoodSigned as exits 74A (east) and 74B (west)
78.01125.5478 SR 255 (Harding Place)Signed southbound as exits 78A (east) and 78B (west)
79.33127.6779Armory DriveTrumpet interchange; opened on November 6, 1987[47]
NashvilleBerry Hill line80.45129.4780 I-440 – Memphis, KnoxvilleOne of two four-level stack interchanges in Tennessee; I-440 exit 5; access to Nashville International Airport
Nashville81.75131.5681Wedgewood Avenue
82.75133.1782B


I-40 east to I-24 east – Knoxville, Chattanooga
Southern end of I-40 concurrency; left exit and entrance southbound; I-40 exit 210; access to Nashville International Airport
83.43134.27209B US 70S / US 431 (Broadway/SR 1) / Demonbreun StreetExit numbers follow I-40; northbound signed as "Demonbreun St." only
83.59–
83.78
134.53–
134.83
209A US 70 / US 70S / US 431 (Broadway/SR 1/SR 24)Signed as "Church Street" southbound
84.01135.20209 US 70 (Charlotte Avenue/SR 24) / Church StreetChurch St. not signed southbound
84.93136.6884B
I-40 west – Memphis
Northern end of I-40 overlap; left entrance northbound, left exits; I-40 exit 208
85.77138.0385 US 41A (Rosa L. Parks Boulevard/SR 12) – State Capitol
Lyle H. Fulton Memorial Bridge over the Cumberland River
87.21140.3586


I-24 east to I-40 east – Chattanooga, Knoxville
Southern end of I-24 concurrency; left exit and entrance southbound; signed as exit 86B northbound; I-24 west exit 46B
88.10141.7887 US 431 (Trinity Lane/SR 65)
89.28143.6888
I-24 west – Clarksville
Northern end of I-24 concurrency; left exit and entrance northbound; I-24 east exit 44B
90.71–
91.11
145.98–
146.63
90
US 31W / US 41 (Dickerson Pike/SR 11) / SR 155 (Briley Parkway) / US 31E south (Ellington Parkway) – Opryland
Split into exits 90A (SR 155 west/US 31W/US 41) and 90B (SR 155 east); US 31E not signed northbound, access via exit 90A south; exit 90B provides access to Nashville International Airport
93.03149.7292 SR 45 (Old Hickory Boulevard) – Madison
Goodlettsville96.32155.0195
SR 386 east (Vietnam Veterans Boulevard) – Hendersonville, Gallatin
Western terminus of SR 386; northbound exit and southbound entrance; opened on October 4, 1990[83]
96.69155.6196Rivergate ParkwayGoodlettsville
97.82157.4397 SR 174 (Long Hollow Pike) – Goodlettsville, Gallatin
Sumner99.57160.2498 US 31W (SR 41) – Millersville, Springfield, Goodlettsville
RobertsonMillersville104.72168.53104 SR 257 (Bethel Road) – Ridgetop
White House108.79175.08108 SR 76 – Springfield, White House
Cross Plains113.47182.61112 SR 25 (Main Street) – Cross Plains, Springfield, Gallatin
Orlinda118.49190.69117 SR 52 (Maple Street) – Portland, Orlinda
121.71195.87121 SR 109 (Vaughn Parkway) – Portland, Welcome CenterSouthbound collector-distributor lane provides access to and from interchange and Welcome Center; opened on November 27, 2019[67]
122.27196.77
I-65 north – Louisville
Continuation into Kentucky
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Notes

  1. ^ While TDOT refers to this section as the first section of Interstate Highway in Tennessee, two sections, a short freeway in Knoxville that is now part of I-40 and the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge in Memphis were constructed prior and later integrated into the Interstate Highway System.
  2. ^ Mileposts on I-65 are numbered according to the original routing prior to 2000, which is approximately 0.8 miles (1.3 km) shorter than current alignment. As a result, mileposts and exits are offset between the I-24 concurrency and the Kentucky state line.

Special route

Alternate plate blue.svg

Interstate 65 Alternate

LocationRobertson and Sumner counties
Length14.34 mi (23.08 km)
Existed2023–present

Interstate 65 Alternate is an alternate route of I-65 running through Robertson and Sumner counties. It was formed to divert traffic from the widening project currently being undertaken from Nashville to the Kentucky state line. It runs along U.S. Route 31W. Signs were first posted in early February 2023, with additional signs being posted in March.

Major intersections

CountyLocationmikmDestinationsNotes
RobertsonWhite House0.00.0 I-65 / SR 76 – Louisville, Nashville, SpringfieldSouthern end of SR 76 concurrency; I-65 exit 108; southern terminus
0.961.54 SR 258 (Raymond Hirsch Parkway) – Hendersonville
1.632.62 US 31W / SR 76 – Portland, MillersvilleSouthern terminus of US 31W concurrency
SumnerRobertson
county line
1.792.88
SR 76 east – Portland
Northern terminus of SR 76 concurrency
Cross Plains5.889.46
SR 25 to I-65 – Springfield, Gallatin
Portland10.9217.57
SR 52 (College Street) to I-65 – Orlinda, Portland
13.8422.27
SR 109 (Vaughn Parkway) to I-65 – Portland
14.3323.06 SR 259 (Main Street) – Mitchellville
14.3423.08
US 31W (Nashville Road) to I-65 – Franklin
Northern end of US 31W concurrency; northern terminus; Kentucky state line
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. ^ Adderly, Kevin (May 6, 2019). "Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2018". Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Public Roads Administration (August 14, 1957). Official Route Numbering for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as Adopted by the American Association of State Highway Officials (Map). Washington, DC: Public Roads Administration. Retrieved June 14, 2018 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  3. ^ Tennessee Department of Transportation. "Transportation Data Management System". ms2soft.com. MS2. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e DeLorme (2017). Tennessee Atlas & Gazetteer (Map) (2017 ed.). 1 in:2.5 mi. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. ISBN 978-1946494047.
  5. ^ Albright, Edward (1909). Early History of Middle Tennessee. Nashville: Brandon Printing Company. pp. 18–19. ISBN 1166645126 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ "A short trip through the history of traffic in Williamson County". The News. Nashville. September 15, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  7. ^ Thompson, Ray M. (February 1, 1963). "Today's Counterpart Of The Jackson Military Road". The Daily Herald. Biloxi, Mississippi. p. 12. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Article Is Published On History Of Military Rd". The St. Tammany Farmer. Covington, Louisiana. December 19, 1974. p. 6. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Boyd, S. G. (May 1926). "The Louisville and Nashville Turnpike". Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society. 24 (71): 163–174. JSTOR 23370951.
  10. ^ Weingroff, Richard (June 27, 2017). "U.S. 231—Indiana to Florida: How a Highway Grew". Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Map of the Dixie Highway Showing Every City, Town, Village and Hamlet Throughout its Entire Length (Map). 1:5,000. Cartography by National Highways Association, Dixie Highway Association, Michigan State Good Roads Association. Washington, D.C.: National Highways Association. November 1915. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Library of Congress.
  12. ^ Highway Planning Survey Division (1925). Biennial Report of the Commissioner of the Department of Highways and Public Works State of Tennessee For the Years 1923 and 1924 (PDF) (Report). Nashville: Tennessee Department of Highways and Public Works. pp. 39–44. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  13. ^ Bureau of Public Roads & American Association of State Highway Officials (November 11, 1926). United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials (Map). 1:7,000,000. Washington, DC: United States Geological Survey. OCLC 32889555. Retrieved November 7, 2013 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  14. ^ Weingroff, Richard (June 27, 2017). "U.S. 11 – Rouses Point, New York, to New Orleans, Louisiana". Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  15. ^ Weingroff, Richard F. "Designating the Urban Interstates". Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  16. ^ Public Roads Administration (August 2, 1947). National System of Interstate Highways (Map). Scale not given. Washington, DC: Public Roads Administration. Retrieved September 4, 2010 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  17. ^ Bureau of Public Roads (September 1955). General Location of National System of Interstate Highways Including All Additional Routes at Urban Areas Designated in September 1955 (Map). Scale not given. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. OCLC 4165975. Retrieved September 4, 2010 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  18. ^ Tennessee State Highway Department Highway Planning Survey Division; Bureau of Public Roads (1959). History of the Tennessee Highway Department (PDF) (Report). Nashville: Tennessee State Highway Department. pp. 51–52. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  19. ^ a b "100 Years: Tennessee's Interstate System". tn.gov. Tennessee Department of Transportation. 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  20. ^ Locker, Richard (April 4, 1987). "Tennessee opens final miles of interstate; Plan was almost 30 years in making". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis. pp. B1, B3. Retrieved January 29, 2023 – via Newspaper.com.
  21. ^ Abramson, Rudy (November 16, 1958). "First Link of State's Super Roads Opens". The Nashville Tennessean. p. 6-E. Retrieved January 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  23. ^ "Wharf Avenue Bridge Work Under Way". Nashville Banner. May 5, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved 2020-09-09 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Kovach, Bill (December 29, 1963). "Evans Bridge Handling 10,000 Cars a Day". The Nashville Tennessean. Retrieved 2020-07-15 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Caldwell, Nat (January 15, 1964). "Silliman Evans Bridge Dedicated". The Nashville Tennessean. p. 1. Retrieved March 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Nashville Then: Best of 1964". The Tennessean. December 30, 2014. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  27. ^ Fontenay, Charles L. "It's a Long Way Down the Turnpike to Completion". The Nashville Tennessean. p. 2-I. Retrieved June 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Road To Open". The Nashville Tennessean. July 24, 1965. Retrieved March 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "State Now Has 450 Miles of Interstate". Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. Associated Press. December 21, 1965. p. 18. OCLC 12704645. Retrieved April 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Part of I-65 Opened". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Associated Press. December 21, 1966. p. 42. Retrieved May 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "I-65 Section Opens To Traffic Today". The Nashville Tennessean. November 22, 1967. p. 11. Retrieved January 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Road Stretch Open (column)". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis. November 22, 1967. p. 5. Retrieved November 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Veazey, Walter (July 25, 1966). "A Giant Of Progress Grows 195 Miles". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "I-40 Opened in Cuba Landing Bridge Ceremony". The Jackson Sun. Associated Press. July 25, 1966. Retrieved April 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Fontenay, Charles L. (January 12, 1969). "Interstate Traffic Still Stalls in Metropolitan Nashville". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. p. 86. Retrieved March 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ Bennett, William (December 25, 1968). "State Near Goal In Highway Net". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis. p. 23. Retrieved March 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Speed Limit 50 on New I-65 Section". The Nashville Tennessean. Nashville. October 10, 1969. p. 40. Retrieved May 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Final Stretch Of I-65 Opened In Simpson Co". The Franklin Favorite. Franklin, Kentucky. June 25, 1970. p. A-1. Retrieved November 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "East–West Interstate Finish Set Here by 1971". The Nashville Tennessean. August 22, 1970. p. 5. Retrieved 2020-05-15 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "The Loop Opens Today". The Nashville Tennessean. March 3, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved April 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "I-65 South Section Opens This Week". The Tennessean. Nashville. October 17, 1972. p. 15. Retrieved 2020-09-10 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "Vital I-65 Span To Open Tomorrow". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis. Associated Press. October 25, 1972. p. 10. Retrieved November 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "Chances Of Re-Opening Prison Dim, Dunn Says". Kingsport Times. United Press International. December 8, 1972. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-09-10 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Harding-to-Berry-Road I-65 Link Opens Friday". The Tennessean. Nashville. October 24, 1973. p. 21. Retrieved October 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Notice to Contractors of State Highway Construction Bids to Be Received May 10, 1985". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis. April 19, 1985. p. B14. Retrieved June 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Road Work (column)". The Tennessean. Nashville. August 5, 1985. p. 2-B. Retrieved June 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ a b "New I-65 interchange opens Friday". The Tennessean. Nashville. November 4, 1987. p. 2-B. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  48. ^ "Road work (column)". The Tennessean. Nashville. December 7, 1987. p. 2-B. Retrieved June 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ Tennessee Department of Transportation. "1987–1991 Contract Awards" (PDF). Tennessee Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  50. ^ Ferguson, Carrie (March 19, 1992). "I-65 commuters warned: Road work begins today". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 6-B. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ Johnson, Carl (September 21, 1993). "HOVs on the move". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 7A. Retrieved January 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "The Road To The Future Is Actually Paved With Diamonds". The Tennessean. Nashville. August 29, 1993. p. 17A. Retrieved January 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ Saez, David (September 3, 1997). "Roll out the barrels; Gridlock clears up in east Franklin, merchants upbeat". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1W. Retrieved January 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ a b c "I-65 Goes West to Relieve Congestion" (Press release). Tennessee Department of Transportation. May 1, 2000. Archived from the original on August 16, 2004. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  55. ^ Tucker, Leon M. (May 2, 2000). "I-65 changes may alleviate congestion". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1A. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ "Sign switch to reroute I-65 through Nashville". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Associated Press. September 29, 2000. p. A9. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ^ "Reconstruction of I-65". Tennessee Department of Transportation. 2005. Archived from the original on May 12, 2006. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  58. ^ Lewis, Mikayla (February 20, 2016). "Some Lanes in I-65 Widening Project Open". Nashville: WZTV-TV. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  59. ^ Confehr, Clint (January 11, 2005). "Williamson County takes on I-65 bottleneck". The Tennessean. Nashville. pp. W1, W9. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. ^ Walters, Kevin (June 16, 2005). "Slow jam may be heading toward fast track". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. W11. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. ^ Brown, Josh (June 26, 2013). "Intermission on I-65". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. V1, V3. Retrieved March 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ^ Hinds, Andrea (October 17, 2013). "Another Widening Project Planned for I-65". Williamson Source. Franklin, Tennessee. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  63. ^ Tamburin, Adam; Walters, Kevin (August 15, 2014). "I-65 bridge closed for months after Franklin tanker explosion kills truck driver". The Tennessean. Nashville. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  64. ^ Marley, Susannah (June 15, 2016). "Peytonsville Road Bridge is officially opened". Williamson Herald. Franklin, Tennessee. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  65. ^ Sheroan, Ben (December 5, 2018). "I-65 widening project wrapping up". The News-Enterprise. Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  66. ^ Benefield, Chadwick (July 31, 2019). "Does Anyone Else Think Tennessee Needs to Widen I-65?". WBKR. Owensboro, Kentucky. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  67. ^ a b "Tennessee Department of Transportation announces New I-65 Interchange at SR 109 is Now Open". Clarksville Online. November 27, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  68. ^ "Interstate 65 Interchange at State Route 109". Tennessee Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  69. ^ Bowles, Laken (June 21, 2021). "TDOT to widen I-65 from Nashville to Kentucky state line". Nashville: WTVF-TV. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  70. ^ Johnson, Cole (September 30, 2021). "TDOT breaks ground on I-65 widening, Tennessee's largest and most expensive road project". Nashville: WTVF-TV. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  71. ^ "TDOT Awards Largest Project in its History" (Press release). Nashville: Tennessee Department of Transportation. September 2, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  72. ^ Michael, Olivia (April 19, 2023). "Slow down: I-65 widening project in Robertson County sees highest crash rate in Tennessee". WTVF-TV. Nashville. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  73. ^ "TDOT Increases Safety Measures in Robertson Co. I-65 Work Zone" (Press release). Nashville: Tennessee Department of Transportation. May 5, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  74. ^ "Robertson County I-65 Widening Project Completed Months Ahead of Schedule". Tennessee Department of Transportation. September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  75. ^ Bureau of Transportation Statistics (June 13, 2022). "National Highway Planning Network" (Map). National Transportation Atlas Database. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  76. ^ Barlow, Randy (August 8, 1989). "Saturn Parkway Officially Open; Final Work Will Take 6–8 Weeks". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 2-B. Retrieved August 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  77. ^ "Spring Hill's New Buckner Road Extension to be Named June Lake Boulevard". Williamson Source. March 17, 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  78. ^ "New Interchange at June Lake Blvd & I-65 Opens!". June Lake. May 31, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  79. ^ Tennessee Department of Transportation (October 18, 2001). "840 Opens Connecting Lebanon, Murfreesboro and Franklin" (Press release). Tennessee Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on June 6, 2002. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  80. ^ Cook, Mark R. (October 19, 2001). "State Route 840 Opens Eyes, Access". The Tennessean. Nashville. pp. 1W, 3W. ISSN 1053-6590. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  81. ^ Tennessee Department of Transportation (September 14, 2007). "McEwen Drive Interchange Now Open to Traffic" (Press release). Tennessee Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on August 11, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  82. ^ "I-65 Concord Road exit open". The Tennessean. Nashville. November 19, 1988. p. 2-B. Retrieved June 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  83. ^ Margulies, Ellen (October 6, 1990). "Sleep in! Hendersonville bypass is the darling of commuters". The Tennessean. Nashville. p. 1B, 2B. Retrieved 2020-05-15 – via Newspapers.com.

External links


Interstate 65
Previous state:
Alabama
Tennessee Next state:
Kentucky