NDOT unveils speed cushions, bulb-outs and neighborhood ballot for McFerrin Avenue traffic calming; bikeway planning introduced

Nashville Department of Transportation engineers presented a finalized traffic-calming design for McFerrin Avenue and introduced early plans for a protected bikeway during a neighborhood meeting. The traffic-calming plan centers on speed cushions and intersection bulb-outs; NDOT said it will mail ballots to properties that abut the street and requires 66% yes votes among returned ballots for the project to enter the construction queue.

NDOT engineer David Greaves, who led the presentation, said the neighborhood street traffic calming (NSTC) program favors “physical solutions to encourage lower speeds” and highlighted the agency’s emphasis on engineering among the program’s “education, enforcement, and engineering” approaches. “We are seeking to help McFerrin experience a better roadway environment with an engineered design rather than only relying on educating people about speeding and driving safety,” Greaves said.

NDOT presented a design that places six locations for speed cushions along McFerrin Avenue and multiple curb bulb-outs at crossings including Maxwell Avenue, Marina Street (near the school),…