Updated: 5/1/2008 2:28:37 AM
The Tennessee Department of Transportation's signature color orange is changing--going "green." The SmartFIX40 project includes a number of environmentally friendly aspects.
Crews are planting tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs all along the work zone."We're going out and getting compost and conditioning that soil to make it suitable for plant life," TDOT Spokesperson Travis Brickey said.
While crews are adding soil, they are also moving tons of dirt to deal with an environmental problem from the past. The area has been plagued by flooding from nearby First Creek.
To remedy the problem, crews are going to unearth a box culvert that runs underneath the existing I-40. During construction, the culvert will be opened up, and a bridge will be built over it, so water and traffic can move smoothly.
Crews have dug three rainwater ponds that will also help with flood control. Runoff from the massive amounts of concrete and asphalt will run into the ponds.
"That water can actually go into the ponds, collect there, and slowly go into the creek," Brickey said. "You don't have an influx of water hitting the creek at one time."
TDOT is also using a new material for some of its sound barriers. They're made out of recycled wood chips.
It actually looks like concrete, but it is a lot lighter. Brickey said if the recycled sound proofing walls work well in this construction project, TDOT will likely use it in other projects across the state.
