In the 1960s, I-40 construction demolished 100 blocks + displaced 1,400+ residents and businesses in North Nashville — a “historic wrong” Mayor John Cooper said the city is trying to make right through a $120 million revitalization plan.
The proposed Jefferson St. Multimodal Cap & Connector project involves replacing the Dr. D. B. Todd Jr. Blvd. bridge over I-40 with a 3.4 acre interstate cap + improving traffic flow connections around Jefferson St., Fisk University, and Meharry Medical College.
But what is an interstate cap?
These projects involve building public spaces over interstates as a way to reconnect neighborhoods isolated during the interstate construction era. Nashville plans to follow up on years of public engagement, but the plan indicates the interstate cap could ultimately serve as a park or community center.
How is this funded?
On Tuesday night, Metro Council voted to approve an application for $72 million in federal INFRA grants — federal funds reserved for transportation projects that improve safety + address climate change and racial equity. If awarded, there would be a required match of $48 million, which the city has earmarked with multi-year local funding.
What is the timeline?
This depends on a few factors. The city plans to move forward with this project included in Mayor Cooper’s transportation plan regardless of federal funding. If awarded INFRA funds, Nashville will begin construction in July 2022 to meet the Sept. 30, 2024 deadline required to receive the grant. If not, city officials say it could take up to 7 years to secure local funding.
