UPDATE: I-840 bridge damaged, portion of interstate reduced to one lane for three months

UPDATE (April 16, 2024, 6:45 p.m.): The Interstate 840 eastbound bridge at mile marker 28 in Williamson County will be reduced to a single lane for an estimated three months after the bridge was damaged on Tuesday.

The bridge was damaged after a CSX excavator working on the railroad tracks under the bridge struck the underside of the bridge.

Emergency crews shut down the interstate and diverted traffic, and hours later, the Tennessee Department of Transportation announced an “emergency bridge repair contract” with Bell and Associates Construction.

The interstate bridge remains closed, but is expected to have one lane of traffic open sometime Tuesday night.

A diversion of traffic at Exit 23 for state Route 246/Carters Creek Pike will remain in place until the single lane is opened.

“After a thorough inspection, they deemed the untouched portion of the bridge safe to cross, but the right lane of the road will remain closed until the necessary repairs can be made,” TDOT said in a news release.

“One lane of travel will remain open for most of the project, aside from some temporary, short-term full closures of the bridge during work.”

TDOT is asking drivers to slow down and exercise caution in the work area. Travelers can also call 511 for statewide travel information and see the latest construction activity traffic updates by using the TDOT SmartWay map.

Original Story:

A portion of Interstate 840 in Williamson County has been closed after a bridge was damaged on Tuesday morning.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the I-840 bridge at mile marker 28 (Columbia Pike) was damaged by a CSX crew that was working on the railroad underneath the bridge.

The eastbound lanes of the interstate were shut down just after 11 a.m., and traffic has been diverted at exit 23, state Route 246/Carters Creek Pike.

"We are asking drivers to bear with us as we inspect the bridge and determine next steps," TDOT said in a social media post. No further information, including how long the interstate could be closed, has been released at this time.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.