As part of the Mayor’s Choose How You Move Initiative, $3 Million was set aside to study opportunities to improve the safety and flow of people and traffic along Jefferson Street, the storied Historically Black corridor in North Nashville. The Jefferson Street Corridor Study outlines a shift from cars first to people first, and aims to reflect the cultural, academic, and historic importance of North Nashville. The plan separates the corridor into 5 Subdistricts and deploys a mix of multimodal infrastructure options within each one.
“The Jefferson Street Corridor Study is funded through Choose How You Move, Nashville’s transportation program to improve sidewalks, signals, service, and safety across the city. But what’s happening on Jefferson Street isn’t just a transportation project. It’s a chance to ensure that growth honors the history and legacy of this corridor while being guided by intention and shaped by the people who live, work, and build community here.”
Choose How You Move Communications
The plan provides an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to have their voices heard and to help shape and evolve what is being suggested. This story highlights some of the notable infrastructure projects for context. To view the full plan, and make comments, check out the link at the end of the article. Here’s the quick rundown:
Background Summary
Jefferson Street is one of Nashville’s most iconic corridors and a historic anchor of Nashville’s African American community. It thrived as a cultural and economic hub from the 1860s through the mid-20th century. In the 1960s, redlining, urban renewal, and the construction of I-40 reshaped the corridor and displaced residents, fragmenting a once-vibrant business district. The Jefferson Street Corridor Study is an opportunity to listen, plan, and invest in what comes next.
Changes to The Overall Streetscape
Overall, the plan proposes a shift in how the entire stretch of Jefferson Street from 28th Avenue North to 12th Avenue North looks and operates. The plan changes the road design from 2 lanes with the shared turn lane and replaces it with 2 lanes with dedicated turn lanes positioned at intersections.
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The new design adds street parking and landscape buffers on both sides of Jefferson Street, as well as identifies areas for mid-block crossings. These improvements could potentially help bring more foot traffic for businesses as the current road design essentially serves as a pass through.
28th Avenue North / Ed Temple Boulevard Intersection
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The proposed redesign of the 28th Avenue North / Ed Temple Boulevard and Jefferson Street intersection focuses on improving pedestrian safety, tightening vehicle movements, and reclaiming excess pavement for landscaping and public space. Overall, changes include:
- Narrowing drive lanes
- Completing landscape buffers for traffic separation
- Shortening pedestrian crossing distances and
- Calming vehicle speeds
Leek Branch Enhancements
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Leek branch is an unimproved exposed creek that spans from Jefferson to Scovel Streets. The proposed improvements along Leek Branch turn the area into a greener, more connected, and more pedestrian‑friendly part of the Jefferson Street corridor. Those improvements include a new stretch of trees and wider planted areas to help the creek feel more natural, as well as better‑aligned sidewalks
Interstate 40 Exit 207/ Jefferson Street Interchange
The study looks at two different ways to improve the traffic at exit 207 off Interstate 40 and Jefferson Street so it’s safer, works better, and is easier for people walking, biking, and using transit. The options in the study for comment include either signaling this segment of Jefferson Street or new roundabouts.
Traffic Signals
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The plan notes that signalizing this interchange will make the area safer and easier to use by creating more predictable traffic movements and separating cars that might otherwise cross paths at high speeds. Traffic signals help manage busy times by giving green lights based on how many cars are waiting, which keeps traffic flowing and prevents backups onto the ramps.
Roundabouts
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The plan explains that roundabouts improve safety and keep traffic moving by slowing cars to about 15–25 mph, which reduces the severity of crashes and helps prevent the high‑speed collisions that often happen at traditional ramp intersections.
Roundabouts also allow continuous movement, which could cut down on delays during less busy times and remove the need for traffic signals and their maintenance. The roundabouts also give pedestrians a safe place to stop halfway across, making crossings shorter and more comfortable. The center island can include landscaping, signs, or public art that highlight the identity of the corridor.
Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Elevated Park
Building an elevated bridge park over Interstate 40 at D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard would reconnect neighborhoods that were split apart when the highway was built and create a special public space that reflects North Nashville’s culture. By widening the bridge and adding trees, lighting, seating, and cultural features, the project would turn what is now a barrier into a welcoming destination.
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Interstate 40 Greenway
A new greenway along Interstate 40 would reconnect Kossie Gardner Sr. Park with neighborhoods north of the interstate, fixing a barrier that has limited access to parks, schools, and community destinations for years. The greenway would also link to a proposed bike and pedestrian bridge and connect with the Cumberland River Greenway.
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New Bike / Pedestrian Bridge
A new bike and pedestrian bridge over Interstate 40 would create an important north–south connection by removing the barrier the interstate creates and making it easier for people to reach Kossie Gardner Sr. Park and the neighborhoods to the north without dealing with fast traffic or long detours. The bridge would also connect directly to the proposed I‑40 greenway, helping form an east–west walking and biking route that Jefferson Street can’t support because it’s too narrow and busy.
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Jefferson Street Bridge
Transforming the unused outside lanes of the Jefferson Street bridge into a high‑quality space for walking and biking (see Proposed Option 1) would create a safer, more welcoming, and better‑connected gateway into North Nashville. A planted buffer would make the space quieter and more comfortable, while interpretive kiosks would share the history, music, and culture of Jefferson Street. The bridge would connect to the proposed I40 Greenway.
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In the longer term, the Jefferson Street bridge could be widened or rebuilt to include ground‑floor storefronts (see Proposed Option 2), creating a walkable street that continues across the interstate instead of stopping at the bridge. Adding storefronts, wide sidewalks, landscaping, and public art would let the bridge support local businesses, artists, and cultural groups while creating a continuous, welcoming environment on both sides of Interstate 65.
To view the full draft Jefferson Street Corridor plan and make comments, checkout the website (here).
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