In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a significant collaboration between the Fairgrounds and the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) aimed at improving the inbound transit stop on Nolensville Pike. This stop serves as a primary boarding location for passengers traveling toward downtown Nashville from the Fairgrounds and Geodis Park.

The current transit stop has faced numerous challenges, including a lack of safe pedestrian crossings, absence of traffic signals, and its location within a floodway. To address these issues, the Fairgrounds has been working on property improvements, which presented an opportunity for NDOT to partner in enhancing the transit stop.

The proposed plan includes the installation of a new traffic signal and the construction of a bus stop island, which will be located on the far side of the traffic signal. This integrated approach aims to streamline the review and approval process, which is currently in its final stages with Metro Water Services and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

The estimated cost for the project is $482,165, which will cover the construction of the bus stop island and the milling and paving of Nolensville Pike. This funding will come from the Metro capital plan, without reliance on state or federal funds. The project is designed to meet FEMA floodway requirements by lowering the profile of Nolensville Pike.

The board is expected to authorize the chief executive officer to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Fairgrounds, formalizing the cost-sharing arrangement for this essential infrastructure improvement. The initiative not only aims to enhance public transit accessibility but also to improve safety for pedestrians in the area.