I-65 closure – Interstate 65 in Nashville is set for a full weekend closure starting October 16 as crews begin the demolition of the Hamilton Avenue bridge deck.
The familiar hum of tires on the pavement will fall silent on a major stretch of Interstate 65 next weekend. Starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, the interstate will shut down in both directions between the I-40 interchange at Exit 210 and the area near the I-440 interchange at Exit 80.
This total closure is timed specifically for the demolition of the Hamilton Avenue bridge deck. While motorists are feeling the immediate impact of this disruption. the work is part of a larger construction project that will keep the Hamilton Avenue bridge closed to both vehicles and pedestrians until early December.
Preliminary work begins well before the weekend shutdown. Starting Thursday night, Oct. 8, crews will implement intermittent southbound lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. During this time, all southbound lanes will briefly shut down from midnight to 12:30 a.m. on Friday to allow for sign removal. Once the full weekend demolition wraps up. the work is far from over; drivers should expect ongoing nightly lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. while the new bridge deck is constructed.
The logistical challenge of redirecting thousands of commuters is already underway. Official detour routes are funneling traffic through I-40, I-440, and I-24. For those navigating the city, message boards and signs are being staged to guide the flow of vehicles around the construction zone.
Local traffic seeking to navigate the area can attempt to cross I-65 via Chestnut Street or Wedgewood Avenue. While Wedgewood Avenue remains accessible at Exit 81, the scale of this project makes heavy congestion and significant travel delays an inevitable reality for the next several weeks.
I-65 closure Nashville traffic Hamilton Avenue bridge TDOT construction Nashville news