Traffic and transportation tips for Murfreesborians
While you will still find times in the city where traffic is scarce, Murfreesboro has turned into a traffic heavy city. Here are some tips on how to navigate the Murfreesboro traffic scene, transportation tips and more.
TRAFFIC
Murfreesboro is an ever-growing city and is not planning on slowing down anytime soon. Traffic in the city has gotten increasingly worse over the years, directly related to the rapid population growth.
Along with population growth has come new road construction. In all likelihood this will help the problem, but in the meantime, we have to suffer the construction consequences of two lanes turning into one lane, oddly winding roads and speed limits lowered.
Murfreesboro Traffic Plan
The City of Murfreesboro is currently under the 2040 Major Transportation Plan. Here are a couple of the road construction sites to look out for:
Middle Tennessee Blvd.
From Greenland to Main St., Middle Tennessee Blvd. is getting a major facelift. You can expect a wider road, from four to five lanes, bike lanes, better sidewalks and improved signalization system for crossing the road.
While this will be very beneficial for students in the future, right now it is messy, with narrow lanes, and is hard to cross.
The road project is set to be completed in July of 2020.
Broad St.
Broad St. recently got a major update with the brand-new bridge connecting Old Fort Parkway and Memorial Boulevard, turning a traffic-heavy four-way red light into a much smoother, faster roadway.
However, Broad Street is just getting started with the updates.
Many connecting roads, such as Front and Vine Street are also getting improvements and Broad Street as a whole will get updates such as better traffic signals.
Another part of this project is a pedestrian bridge that will connect Broad Street to downtown Murfreesboro, making it much easier to cross a busy street by foot or bike.
This Major Thoroughfare document shows each road project that Murfreesboro has currently budgeted for. Some of the largest transportation improvement plans are in the map below.
7 largest transportation improvements
Highway 99, or New Salem Highway, will be expanding from two lanes to five lanes from Old Fort Parkway to Cason Lane.
Highway 96 is widening from Veterans Parkway to Interstate-840.
Cherry Lane is being extended to five lanes from North West Broad to Sulphur Springs Road.
Build a separated grade crossing over Broad Street at Memorial Boulevard with additional turn lanes on Broad Street.
Middle Tennessee Boulevard widening from Greenland to Main, from four lanes to five lanes with an addition of bike lanes, reconstructed sidewalk and road crossing system.
Joe B. Jackson Parkway is getting a new four-lane median divided / five lane roadway from US 41 to US 70.
Widening Thompson Lane from two lanes to five lanes with curb and gutter, sidewalks and bike lanes, all from North West Broad to Memorial Boulevard.
Source: Murfreesboro, TN Government, Transportation Capital Improvement Budget
Worst Traffic Times and Seasons
Traffic is by far the worst in town anytime from Thanksgiving to Christmas, like most towns, but it seems to somehow triple overnight on Black Friday.
Heavy traffic times are definitely your typical 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. If you can, try to avoid going through town at these times.
Though the traffic can at times be unavoidable, one of the most helpful tools you can have to navigate not only Murfreesboro, but about any other place in the world is Google’s Waze app.
It is designed to be a socially run navigation system by showing real-time traffic issues and solutions.
It will save you by showing you backroads to avoid major collisions, high traffic areas, construction heavy roads and more.
The app has also recently developed a carpooling service to help save money and the environment.
If you don’t have Waze already, run don’t walk and download this app!
TRANSPORTATION
If you are an incoming student and you are curious if you’ll need a car or not, here are some tips for you.
While public transportation may not be as up-to-date in Murfreesboro as in Nashville, the city still offers transportation options that will help you get around town.
Rover Bus
You may occasionally see a green bus driving through town. This is the City of Murfreesboro’s Rover Bus.
The bus runs from Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. and currently offers seven routes in Murfreesboro.
Uber and Lyft
Because of the wonder that is technology, we have access to transportation systems such as Uber and Lyft.
You can find an Uber and Lyft driver anywhere you go these days, and Murfreesboro is not an exception to that.
You will see many Uber and Lyft drivers close to campus, identified with their company stickers.
Just download one or both of the apps to find a ride nearby.
Buses and Shuttles Near Campus
Many apartment buildings near campus offer a bus or shuttle to and from campus.
If you are planning to live in an apartment near campus, check their amenities before you rent to see if this is a service they offer.
Biking or Walking
Of course, if you are really environmentally conscious or are just trying to get more exercise, you can always go with the classic biking or walking.
Murfreesboro has many bike lanes and sidewalks, especially on or near campus for students to utilize.
As Murfreesboro continues to grow, expand and adapt, the city’s traffic and transportation will likely be changing rapidly along with it.