The Tennessee Department of Transportation is taking pity on the people of Rutherford County and finally widening New Salem Highway, a.k.a., State Route 99.

How do we know this? 

Because Murfreesboro announced the Stones River Greenway will be closed from the Cason Trailhead to just past the Highway 99 overpass starting Monday, May 7, 2018, for the New Salem Highway widening project.

The Cason Trailhead will be open for parking, and greenway users may still turn left from the trailhead to use the trail. The projected re-opening date of the closed portion is November 30, 2020.

“We apologize to our many Greenway users for the inconvenience of the trail closure,” said Parks and Recreation Director Angela Jackson. “Hopefully, everyone understands that public safety during the construction remains our first priority.”

The first phase of the project will widen a 2.2 mile stretch of the highway from Cason Lane to I-24. It is part of TDOT’s three-year road construction program. 

The second phase, which will take place at a later and undetermined date, will widen a 1.4-mile section of Hwy 99 from I-24 to Old Fort Pkwy.

Phase I was bid in February 2018 and was awarded to Dement Construction. The project is scheduled to get underway this spring. Dement Construction is based out of Jackson, Tennessee, with an office in Christiana. The low bid was $28,677,062.

The widening is one of 101 road projects statewide that was detailed by TDOT in 2017. 

Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department will notify the public of the greenway closures through signage, the city’s Facebook page, and updates on the City’s website at www.murfreesborotn.gov/parks. 

Citizens may also call Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department at 615-890-5333.