James Robertson Parkway Bridge to Close for Two Years
Tennessee transportation officials plan a $65 million rebuild of the bridge, with construction set to begin in the second quarter of 2027.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The Tennessee Department of Transportation plans to rebuild the James Robertson Parkway Bridge as part of a $65 million project. The bridge will close to traffic for at least two years once construction begins in the second quarter of 2027.
Why it matters
The reconstruction will rebuild the parkway from downtown over the Cumberland River to Main Street in East Nashville, affecting commuters who rely on the crossing. Officials are coordinating roadway work on Cowan Street, Marine Drive, and James Robertson Parkway alongside the bridge project.
The project carries a $65 million price tag and the bridge will be closed to traffic for at least two years. Alternative route plans for drivers during the closure have not yet been announced.
The players
Tennessee Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for planning and building the state's highway and bridge infrastructure, including the James Robertson Parkway project.
Nashville Department of Transportation
The city agency that oversees local streets and transit, and is coordinating roadway improvements with the state on Cowan Street, Marine Drive, and James Robertson Parkway.
The details
The project will rebuild the parkway over the Cumberland River and includes widening Cowan Street, pedestrian infrastructure improvements, and ramp adjustments. The Marine Drive extension would widen that road and connect it to Dickerson Pike as part of the coordinated roadway work.
Timeline
Construction on the James Robertson Parkway project is set to begin in the second quarter of 2027.
The bridge is expected to remain closed to traffic for at least two years during construction.
Market Landscape
Major urban bridge rebuilds in Nashville are being scheduled alongside neighborhood roadway improvements to address growing traffic along the Cumberland River corridor. The James Robertson Parkway project fits this pattern of coordinating state bridge work with city street upgrades.
Drivers who cross the Cumberland River on James Robertson Parkway will need to plan for at least two years without the bridge. No alternative routes have been announced yet, so commuters should watch for updates from the transportation departments.
The takeaway
Long bridge closures reshape daily travel for an entire side of the city, so residents planning around East Nashville commutes should prepare well before the second quarter of 2027. Watching for route announcements from the transportation departments will help households adjust their schedules.
What happens next
Construction on the James Robertson Parkway project is set to begin in the second quarter of 2027, with the bridge closing to traffic afterward.
Further reading
For related local coverage, see Home Renovation in Nashville.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKRN News 2.
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