Walnut Grove/I-240 Project Complete Eight Months Ahead of Schedule

Memphis, Tenn.— The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced today that the Walnut Grove/Interstate 240 improvement project in Memphis is opening to traffic eight months ahead of the December 2008 scheduled completion date.  Tuesday April 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM, all east and west bound lanes on Walnut Grove Road will be opened.

“The early completion of this project is the result of hard work and commitment on the part of many, including the contractors and state and local government, “ said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.  “I’m sure this early completion is welcome news to the businesses and motorists who travel through this section of roadway everyday.”

Motorists traveling through the Walnut Grove corridor will have a smoother commute with three new lanes in each direction as a result of the new bridges over Humphreys Boulevard and the Wolf River.  With the additional new bridge over Humphreys Boulevard, east bound and west bound traffic on Walnut Grove will be able to continue, without stopping at a traffic signal, unless exiting on Humphreys.

Striping and signage will be in place to indicate lane changes.  Temporary message boards have been placed at several locations and law enforcement will be stationed throughout the project to help motorists through the new traffic configuration.
 
Minor details and the final surface paving should be completed by the end of summer, weather permitting.  The surface paving will require additional temporary lane closures.

Dement Construction Company and Smith, Seckman, Reid, Inc. are the contractors for this $36-million interchange, roadway and bridge improvement project to Walnut Grove/I-240.

Addition information and before and after computer renderings of the Walnut Grove/I-240 project can be obtained by going to www.state.tn.us .  For more information on this or any other TDOT road construction project or for weather-related road closure information, visit the TDOT Web site’s dynamic TDOT SmartWay Information System at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway .  Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone to access valuable information about travel conditions any time or log on to www.TN511.com .

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Pamela Marshall
TDOT, Community Relations Officer
 Office: 901.685.3920
Fax: 901.682.1356