TDOT Will Close I-65 in Nashville This Weekend
A section of Interstate 65 will close for bridge demolition starting Friday, October 16.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Tennessee Department of Transportation will close Interstate 65 in both directions between the Interstate 40 and Interstate 440 interchanges starting Friday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. This full closure is required to facilitate the demolition of the Hamilton Avenue bridge.
Why it matters
The closure is necessary to remove the Hamilton Avenue bridge, with the overall project slated for completion by early December. Officials analyzed traffic data and local event attendance, including nearby university homecomings, to schedule this work.
The interstate is scheduled to remain closed from Friday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19. Following the weekend shutdown, drivers should prepare for intermittent overnight lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. through early December.
The players
Tennessee Department of Transportation
This state agency is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the interstate highway system in Tennessee.
Tennessee State University
This public historically Black university is hosting homecoming celebrations during the construction weekend.
Vanderbilt University
This private research university is hosting its homecoming festivities during the same weekend as the road closure.
The details
During the shutdown, TDOT will also close ramps at Armory Drive and Powell Avenue, while the Hamilton Avenue bridge itself will remain closed to all traffic and pedestrians. Motorists are advised to utilize Chestnut Street or Wedgewood Avenue as alternate routes, with TDOT HELP operators on-site to assist with traffic flow.
Timeline
Friday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.: Interstate 65 closure begins.
Monday, Oct. 19, 5 a.m.: Interstate 65 is scheduled to reopen.
Early December: Expected completion of bridge work.
Market Landscape
The bridge demolition project aligns with the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Long Range Statewide Transportation Plan to modernize aging transit infrastructure. Such projects highlight the industry-wide shift toward repairing and upgrading urban arterial networks to support growing metropolitan areas.
Drivers navigating Nashville this weekend should plan for significant travel delays and use marked alternate routes like Chestnut Street or Wedgewood Avenue. Motorists should also monitor overhead message boards for real-time updates while TDOT HELP operators manage the area.
The takeaway
Commuters should anticipate significant congestion throughout the weekend and prioritize alternative routes well before the Friday night closure. Planning travel around the scheduled 5 a.m. Monday reopening is essential for avoiding peak morning delays.
What happens next
The interstate is scheduled to reopen on Monday, Oct. 19, at 5 a.m. Subsequent bridge construction is expected to conclude by early December.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing infrastructure projects, visit the Nashville Openings & Closings section.
More information
For live traffic updates during the closure, consult the TDOT SmartWay Map.
Live Poll
Is it acceptable for major road construction to overlap with major local events in your area?
