I-55 & Crump Boulevard Interchange in Memphis Gets Green Light
Tuesday, February 07, 2012 | 04:49am
NASHVILLE–The Tennessee Department of Transportation is excited to announce a major milestone in the development of the Interstate 55 and Crump Boulevard Interchange project. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the Final Environmental Impact Study for the interchange, allowing the project to move into the final design phase.
The approval comes after an extensive study and review of a number of different alignment choices for the interchange. The selected “Z-1” design was developed in response to strong input from members of the community and guidance from the Federal Highway Administration. The Z-1 alignment will avoid all displacements and does address concerns that were raised by residents early in the project development phase.
“The selected design of this interchange was a coordinated effort with the community, FHWA, and TDOT working together to arrive at a solution,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “The result is a project that minimizes impacts to this neighborhood while meeting the traffic needs of Memphis.”
The “Z-1” alignment will increase the traffic capacity and improve the level of service of the interchange, reduce congestion, enhance local mobility, improve roadway safety, and restore interstate route continuity for I-55 travel.
During the project development process, TDOT worked closely with several interested parties including the historic French Fort Community, which was separated from downtown Memphis when
I-55 was constructed in the 1950’s.
“It has been a long time coming and I am glad there is no negative impact,” said Sara Lewis, President of the French Fort Community Association. “I am excited and delighted we are moving forward with this project for our transportation and our highways.”
The department will now work to develop the preliminary Right of Way plans for 2013. TDOT’s next milestone is to bring the public together for a Public Meeting in the fall of 2012.
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For more information:
Nichole Lawrence
TDOT Region 4 Community Relations Officer
Office 731.935.0318
Mobile 731.225.6041