If you drive downtown Nashville, expect some changes in traffic this fall. Starting Friday September 12 through October drivers will see adjustments on 4th Avenue from Commerce Street to Demonbreun Street. The Nashville Department of Transportation is adding a transit priority lane so that WeGo buses can move more efficiently through some of the busiest routes. This is part of a pilot program and traffic control officers will manage the new lane. 

Lower Broadway will also be affected. New traffic control plans will include a protected continuous center lane reserved for emergency response vehicles during times when Broadway is closed. Officials say crowding on the street has created safety concerns especially when large groups gather late at night. 

The city also plans to install retractable bollards on Lower Broadway starting in November. These bollards are meant to block off certain areas of the street to protect pedestrians when needed. Alongside this change the city is working to improve parking downtown especially on game days. 

To help reduce traffic congestion the transportation department and WeGo are offering some alternatives. They will provide Express Bus Lines from Bellevue and Sumner County that connect directly to the stadium. On home game days bus rides will be free. The city will collect data during these changes and make adjustments as needed.