I-40W reopens at I-24E split after semi hits overpass

Colleen Guerry
·2 min read
1

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Sunday motorists needed to find an alternate route through Nashville because a semi-trailer reportedly struck a CSX overpass, causing Interstate 40 West to be closed down at the Interstate 24 East split.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said all westbound lanes were blocked at mile marker 212.8 on I-40, near Elm Hill Pike, due to a single-vehicle crash reported at 11:33 a.m. on Sunday, May 12.

📧 Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts →

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department‘s 1:45 p.m. post on X (formerly known as Twitter), all traffic was being diverted to Interstate 440 West while the truck’s cargo was being offloaded. In addition, CSX was no longer using the overpass that was hit.

TDOT traffic map as of 2:10 p.m. on May 12, 2024. (Courtesy: TDOT)
TDOT traffic map as of 2:10 p.m. on May 12, 2024. (Courtesy: TDOT)

Meanwhile, at 2:10 p.m., TDOT’s online traffic map showed the westbound Exit 52A ramp was blocked on I-24 by the I-40 split because of police activity reported at 11:47 a.m., but there was no word on the nature of that activity. However, by 2:55 p.m., that exit ramp closure was removed from the map.

⏩ Read today’s top stories on wkrn.com

At 2:44 p.m., Metro police posted the following update on X: “UPDATE: I-24 westbound lanes will be reopened at the I-24W/I-40W junction. I-40 westbound lanes will remain closed at this time while TDOT and responding wreckers continue to clear the interstate.”

At 3:05 p.m., a TDOT spokesperson announced that an oversized load truck — which had the right permit but was on the wrong route — hit the bridge and got stuck. The load has reportedly been removed and the bridge has been inspected, so it is safe for travel.

(Courtesy: TDOT)
(Courtesy: TDOT)
(Courtesy: TDOT)
(Courtesy: TDOT)

The following image was taken from the mile marker 213.2 traffic camera, at the I-40 West junction with I-24, at 3 p.m.

(Courtesy: TDOT)
(Courtesy: TDOT)

By 7 p.m., TDOT had removed the incident marker for the crash from I-40, and cameras showed traffic flowing normally.

No additional details have been released about this crash. News 2 has reached out to Tennessee Highway Patrol for more information.

📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.
📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.
💻 Find today’s top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.