05/15/2023
Click the link below for the Proposed NEW highways for Blue Oval City!
https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/region-4/sr-194-extension-exit-39.html
Here a brief overview:
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), proposes various roadway improvements in Fayette, Haywood, and Tipton Counties. The roadway improvements are being considered to serve the imminent industrial development at the Ford Motor Company Campus (Blue Oval City), located at the Memphis Regional Megasite in Haywood County, Tennessee.
The proposed roadway improvements include a south-north extension of State Route (SR) 194 (proposed SR 194 extension) on a new alignment from the existing intersection of SR 59 and SR 194 in Fayette County to a new intersection with SR 1 (US 70) in Tipton County, a new interchange on I-40 at proposed Exit 39, a west-east connector (proposed SR 468) on a new alignment between the proposed SR 194 extension and existing SR 222 and interchange modifications on I-40 at existing Exit 42. The proposed improvements would total approximately 13.7 miles in length.
Because the proposed project involves a new connection to an interstate facility, the project is subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). TDOT and FHWA are preparing an Environmental Assessment in accordance with NEPA to identify and evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed project and to identify measures to minimize harm.
Background
The 4,100-acre Memphis Regional Megasite was developed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 2006 and was ultimately purchased by the State of Tennessee in 2009. The Memphis Regional Megasite is one of the largest available Megasite properties in the southeast[1]. Currently, one existing interstate interchange serves the Memphis Regional Megasite, I-40 at SR-222 (Exit 42). In addition, north-south connectivity from the existing roadway network is limited in this portion of northwest Fayette County with SR-222 being the only north-south route with a direct connection in and around the Memphis Regional Megasite.
On September 27, 2021, Governor Bill Lee announced that the Ford Motor Company had selected the Memphis Regional Megasite for a vehicle and battery manufacturing campus. The Ford Motor Company Campus (Blue Oval City) is expected to occupy approximately 3,600 acres of the total Memphis Regional Megasite acreage. In total, approximately 5,800 jobs are anticipated to be created at the Ford Motor Company Campus, which is anticipated to increase travel demand for commuter traffic once site operations are underway. In addition, the amount of freight traffic both entering and exiting the Memphis Regional Megasite is anticipated to increase when the Memphis Regional Megasite is fully developed and operational.
While the Ford Motor Company Campus (Blue Oval City) would be entirely confined to the existing Memphis Regional Megasite, additional industrial, commercial, or residential development is anticipated to be developed at or near the Memphis Regional Megasite in the future. This projected increase in both commuter and freight traffic is anticipated to further increase the travel demand within the existing roadway network.
[1] Memphis Regional Megasite Site Assessment Study, Gresham Smith, 2021.
TDOT project State Route 194 Extension / Exit 39