TDOT Begins Repairs to Silliman Evans Bridge in Nashville
Spring work includes fast-fix shutdown for two weekends

Nashville, Tennessee  -  The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has begun repair work to a set of parallel bridges that provide an integral link to downtown Nashville from both I-24 and I-40.

The bridges, usually thought of and referred to as one bridge, the Silliman Evans Bridge, were built in 1963. 

“The Silliman Evans Bridge hasn’t received any major rehabilitation work for 31 years,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.  “This work must be done. Because it is such an important part of the downtown commute for many people, we have written some very specific limitations into the contract about how and when the work can be done.”

Nicely said the contractor will not work during holiday periods, during the Music City Marathon, or during the Country Music Festival.

Right now the majority of the work on the bridge is taking place during overnight hours, from 7p.m. to 5a.m.  This weekend, barrier rails are being put in place to protect the construction workers, and temporary work-zone traffic lanes are being marked.

“We are also doing something else special with this project, a fast-fix approach,” Nicely said.  “We will close the bridge entirely for two weekends.  That allows for around-the-clock repair work during those weekends eliminating approximately two months of weekday traffic delays that would occur if we did the work while leaving the bridges open.”

Nicely said the dates for the closures have not been determined yet.  “We are working early to get the word out about this project.  TDOT SmartWay Dynamic Message Signs will warn motorists about the activity on this project and we will distribute flyers to let people know in advance when the weekend fast-fix closures will happen.”

About 138,000 vehicles use the Silliman Evans Bridge each day.  The bridge was constructed with steel girders with a concrete deck and asphalt riding surface.

The bridge repairs will include:

• Upgrading the bridge rails to meet the latest safety standards.

• Removing the existing riding surfaces (asphalt).

• Repair bridge deck concrete.

• Resurface the newly repaired decks with asphalt overlay.

• Replacement of expansion joints.

The contractor is Mid-State Construction Company. 

“We have a large incentive/disincentive built into this contract to get it finished early,” Nicely added.  “The contractor will receive $9,000 for every day he finishes before July 31, with a cap of $280,000.   If he doesn’t make the deadline, he’ll lose $9,000 a day, but we don’t expect that to happen.”

A map of the Silliman Evans Bridge area is available in the TDOT website media room at www.tennessee.gov/tdot.