Plus, watch the Perseid meteor shower.
 
08.09.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE
Kilwins Chocolates Fudge & Ice Cream

Today’s Forecast

88º | 0% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 6 a.m. | Sunset 7:43 p.m.
 

On the road again

Here is what’s going on with the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project
A map graphic of multiple interstates in the Nashville area, with a 26-mile stretch of I-24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro highlighted in blue.
The project area will cover this highlighted section between Nashville and Murfreesboro. | Graphic via TDOT
In December, we shared TDOT’s plan to introduce choice lanes, or toll lanes, to ease traffic congestion on select roadways statewide. Up first is the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project, which seeks to improve travel times and regional connectivity along 26 miles of I-24.

As TDOT gears up for public meetings this month, here’s an update on where things stand.

Catching you up to speed

The new lanes will allow motorists to drive at ~50 mph during rush hour periods, according to TDOT. The cost to use the lanes, which has yet to be determined, will vary throughout the day based on traffic volume.

The Transportation Modernization Act will initially fund the lanes, with a private entity handling the financing, construction, and maintenance through a public-private partnership. TDOT is prioritizing the I-24 project, but other potential sites include I-65 between Nashville and Spring Hill, as well as routes in Chattanooga and Knoxville.

What’s happening now

While environmental studies continue into 2025, public meetings will be held throughout August, allowing residents to provide feedback on the project and its potential impacts.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 14 | 5 p.m. | Virtual
  • Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 5-7 p.m. | Smyrna Event Center
  • Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 5-7 p.m. | The Fairgrounds Nashville
  • Thursday, Aug. 29 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Southeast Community Center
However, don’t expect toll lanes to appear overnight. According to the project’s timeline, public hearings will occur in 2025, partnership agreements will be finalized in 2026, and construction is expected to begin in 2027.

Pro tip: Organizations seeking more information about the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project can request a speaker to provide detailed insights at a meeting.
Asked

Which Nashville interstate do you find yourself on the most often?
A. I-24
B. I-65
C. I-40
D. I try to avoid interstates and stick to local roads.
Put the answer in drive
 
Events
Friday, Aug. 9
  • Cave Creek Wild Edibles Hike | Friday, Aug. 9 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Cedars of Lebanon State Park | Free | Meet at the Nature Center to explore the Cave Creek trail and identify wild edible plants along the way — registration required.
Saturday, Aug. 10
  • Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 6 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | $159+ | Cheer on the Titans at the first preseason home game.
  • August Community Day: Bees | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Glen Leven Farm | Free | Hear from Gary Saakian, the farm’s resident beekeeper, on how he raises bees + see an observation hive up close — registration required.
Sunday, Aug. 11
  • Burn & Brunch | Sunday, Aug. 11 | 10 a.m. | Virgin Hotels Nashville | $15 | Tickets include fitness class admission, a complimentary mimosa, 10% off your meal, and a pool day pass.
  • Musician Spotlight: Eddy Dunlap | Sunday, Aug. 11 | 1 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum | Cost of admission | Hear from steel guitarist Eddy Dunlap, who has recorded with artists such as Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, and Jon Pardi.
  • Late Night Chef Takeovers | Sunday, Aug. 11 | 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. | Bad Idea | Cost of purchase | The Catbird Seat’s Andy Doubrava and Tiffani Ortiz take over Bad Idea’s late night menu for one night only.
Monday, Aug. 12
  • An Evening With Oleta Adams | Monday, Aug. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | City Winery | $55+ | See the singer, songwriter, and four-time Grammy Award nominee, who released her debut album in 1990 following her work with Tears for Fears.
Tuesday, Aug. 13
  • Creed | Tuesday, Aug. 13 | 7 p.m. | Ascend Amphitheater | $100+ | The rock band will bring their “Summer of ’99" tour downtown.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Open
  • Hop in, we’re going to Sidecar Bar. The new Germantown bar and live music venue opens today, Aug. 9 at 1318 6th Ave. N. In addition to weekday happy hour + college football and NFL specials, Sidecar Bar already has a full slate of August events.
Coming Soon
  • The Nations’ Urban Dog Bar has an opening date: Friday, Oct. 4. The combination dog park and bar at 5698 Ohio Ave. will have indoor and outdoor turf play areas + drinks, snacks, and free WiFi for dog owners, though you don’t have to have a pet to visit. Check out the membership levels (day passes are also available) and FAQs.
Biz
  • Riley Green is the latest country artist to launch a concept in Midtown. According to a permit, Riley Green’s Duck Blind is expected to open in the Winners Bar & Grill space at 1913 Division St. That’s right next door to Old Dominion’s forthcoming bar, Odie’s. (Nashville Business Journal)
Community
  • Metro Nashville Public Schools has implemented a clear bag policy for those attending athletic events this school year. Acceptable options include clear plastic or vinyl bags, one-gallon freezer bags, and small clutch purses. View approved sizes.
Plan Ahead
  • Launch Tennessee released the schedule for its 3686 entrepreneurship conference. This year’s event (Sept. 9-11) takes place at venues across Nashville. Expect a live pitch competition with a $10,000 prize, a keynote by shoe designer Stuart Weitzman, a “Meet the Mayors” panel, and more.
Olympics
  • The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France wrap up this weekend. Today’s events include sport climbing, table tennis, wrestling + rhythmic gymnastics — starting at 8 a.m. CT. Look back at a few Nashville Olympians who competed this year and tune in for the closing ceremony on Sunday.
Shop
  • Fun fact: It’s National Farmers Market Week. The special week celebrating the vital role markets play in our community runs through tomorrow, Aug. 10. Bookmark our farmers market guide to aid in your shopping.
Listen
  • We like our sound quality how we like our Gifford’s bacon — extra crispy. While most hearing aids have one processor, this device has two, which process speech + noise separately. The result: Clear, crisp, effortless listening and conversations. (Plus, it’s tiny.)*
Finance
  • We’re beyond the halfway point of 2024 — aka a good time to make sure you’re maximizing your money. Personal finance experts have reviewed hundreds of credit cards to present you with the four very best bonus cards of the year.*
 
Outdoors

Your sign to watch is written in the stars

How to watch the Perseid meteor shower in Nashville
Wordpress Featured Image (70)
The Perseid meteor shower in August 2021. | Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA
Ready for a show? In just a couple days, it will be the prime time to watch the Perseid meteor shower.

The meteor shower should peak during the overnight hours of Sunday, Aug. 11 into early morning on Monday, Aug. 12. The shower happens when Earth passes through the trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle, offering spectators across the globe the opportunity to see as many as 100 meteors per hour when the shower is at its peak.

Of course, this also means Nashvillians may need to drive away from the city neon. If you want a guided viewing, head out to Long Hunter State Park in the wee hours of Monday morning from 3:30 to 5:30 a.m. Registration is required and starts at $5. Pro tip: Bring a reclining lawn chair or blanket for this open sky view of the meteor shower.
The Buy

The Buy 8.09.24 (Affiliate)
The summer’s trending + No. 1 bestselling ice cream maker — the Ninja Creami. Snag it and turn almost anything into frozen, scoopable ice cream (hello, healthy protein treats).
More worth The Buy
Answered

Did someone order a bloody mary?
A close up perspective of a build-you-own-bloody mary bar with a prepared bloody mary and glasses filled with jalapenos, olives, and tomato juice.

If you’re feeling inspired, Stationairy’s brand new bloody mary bar allows guests to craft their cocktail exactly to their liking on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If so, they’re in luck, because 20 readers submitted Nashville-style recipes using our interactive survey. We couldn’t choose just one standout recipe to share, so we’ve selected a couple of our favorites.

Cece H.
  • Base: Pickers Vodka and tomato juice
  • Essentials: Lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and pickle juice
  • Seasonings: East Nashville Spice Company’s Heat seasoning, black pepper, and smoked paprika
  • Toppings: Hot chicken, celery stalk, pickled vegetables, and Gifford’s bacon
Patrick L.
  • Base: Nashville Barrel Co. Wheated Vodka and tomato juice
  • Essentials: Pickle juice
  • Seasonings: Black pepper and Acme’s hot chicken spice
  • Toppings: Gifford’s bacon, celery stalk, lemon/lime wedge, and pickled vegetables
There's still time to make your own
 
The Wrap
 
Dylan

Today’s edition by:
Dylan
From the editor
Want to cheer on the US women’s national team during their gold medal match vs. Brazil? TailGate Brewery’s Music Row location will open at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Aug. 10 (30 minutes before kickoff), where you can watch the match inside or outside.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Advertise with us to stand out.     ›
Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY