(Piperton, TN) We all know traffic can be a nightmare in Memphis, but eight miles of new road could change all of that.
By the end of November, the new portion of 385 connecting Millington to Collierville will be open.
TDOT is planning a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening Friday, November 22.
The opening of 385 is a game changer for Memphis traffic.
The highway traces the Shelby-Fayette County line and will connect Millington to Collierville allowing more direct and quick routes to all parts of the county.
“I’m just glad to see it open up finally,” said Vincent Hood.
Hood owns Elite Auto right off of 385 and says going to the Wolfchase area is about to become a lot easier for him.
“You have to drive all the way down 196 to Macon Road and go four miles and take a left and get back on 385. So if we have to go that direction to get parts it’s really going to help us out,” said Vincent.
The project cost more than $70 million dollars, but it’s expected to have benefits all the way across town at I40 and 240.
Right now construction at I40 and 240 is seriously backing up traffic during rush hour, but now TDOT the 385 opening will take vehicles out of that mess reducing traffic.
“We would suggest truckers especially go around and other drivers who just want to go around Memphis to get to the other side to take state route 385,” said Nicole Lawrence with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
TDOT says the entire span of 385 will not be open until November 30th.
They are encouraging people to take advantage of this new path if you can to help alleviate traffic at I40 and 240 as they work to finish that construction project.