State Route 186 (US 45 Bypass) Southern Extension
Proposed Design
Two 750-foot wide study corridors were developed during the TPR process. In the NEPA process alignments will be developed within the corridors and environmental technical studies will be completed. A No-Build alternative will also be considered.
View (pdf) map indicating the 750-foot corridors evaluated as alternatives in the Transportation Planning Report.
No Build—Alternative A would involve no improvements to the existing roadway apart from regular maintenance and necessary safety improvements.
Corridor B—Corridor B consists of improvements to existing US 45 and one connecting segment on new location (shown in yellow on the map of alternatives). The new segment connects US 45 just opposite the West Tennessee Fairgrounds and the US 45 Bypass just south of Airways Boulevard. This alternative would involve widening the existing bridge over the South Fork of the Forked Deer River along US 45 and raising the grade on the approaches over the 100-year floodplain.
Corridor C—This alternative (shown in red on the map) begins on existing US 45 just south of Bemis and is south and west of Bemis, connecting with the existing US 45 Bypass just south of Airways Boulevard. The alignment is on new location to the south and west of Bemis and then northwest of Bemis, it follows the alignment of Riverside Drive across the South Fork of the Forked Deer. Corridor C crosses the South Fork of the Forked Deer River within the corridor of the existing bridges on Riverside Drive. It would involve a new main channel bridge and two to three overflow structures raised above the 100-year floodplain.
Corridor Option C-1—This option (shown in orange on the map) provides an alternative connection between the northern end of Corridor C and Airways Boulevard, following the alignment of the existing US 45 bypass.
