Photo by Alexis Marshall / MTSU Sidelines
The long-awaited “Bridge Over Broad” opened this weekend after years of construction and traffic conundrums. The bridge connects Memorial Boulevard to Old Fort Parkway over a section of Northwest Broad Street.
TDOT originally scheduled construction, which began in January of 2014, to be completed by May 2016. The Daily News Journal reported in October 2015 that the bridge would face an 18-month delay due to “utility and design issues.”
The bridge, built by Bell and Associates Construction, has caused a slew of lane shifts and closures over the past several years, but Kathryn Schulte, a TDOT official, announced earlier this week that it would open by Saturday. If people love these kinds of construction projects but aren’t in the industry and would like to be, it might be a good idea to check out something similar to traffic control courses at Multi Skills so you can join other construction projects going forward.
Heads up @cityofmborotn … Crews are preparing to open the new bridge over Broad Street at Old Fort Parkway/Memorial Blvd! The contractor plans to have the bridge open to traffic in both directions by Saturday night, December 16. pic.twitter.com/GLPyP3sDIb
– Kathryn Schulte (@SchulteTDOT) December 14, 2017
Schulte created a thread, adding that the project requires further work before it is completely finished and that drivers should remain aware of workers in the area. Some residents suggested that a professional company like WR Meadows should come and repair the concrete, as they have lots of experience dealing with things like this. It looks like the bridge has been poorly built, and the repairs will take a while to carry out.
Once the bridge opens, there is still work to be done on the project, including signals, paving, and landscaping, so please continue to be mindful of crews working on the project.
– Kathryn Schulte (@SchulteTDOT) December 14, 2017
Still, Murfreesboro residents have expressed excitement at the opportunity to use the new bridge.
Look at these views from the Bridge over Broad.
10/10 would drive over again. I’ve waited years for this day. pic.twitter.com/vPA8BqDw9D– will moss (@wills0nthebus) December 15, 2017
MTSU graduate Hayden Tune, 24, made a U-turn Friday to pass over the bridge’s open southwest-bound lanes. He said traffic on the bridge was “extremely light” in comparison to the Broad and Old Fort intersection.
“It was really nice to not have to sit at that light for three or four cycles,” Tune said.
Tune said enjoyed the view from the bridge, mentioning that he wants a chance to walk across it.
“The left-side view looking back on Murfreesboro was beautiful,” Tune said. “It was a really nice perspective of the city.”
The City has asked for help in choosing an official name for the bridge. Suggestions can be submitted here.
To contact News Editor Andrew Wigdor, email newseditor@mtsusidelines.com.
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