Veterans Parkway Closure Brings New Salem Highway Detour Through August 5

A temporary closure on Veterans Parkway remains active in Murfreesboro Sunday, Aug. 2, and is scheduled to continue through Wednesday, Aug. 5, while crews rebuild the New Salem Highway intersection.

The closure affects the north side of Veterans Parkway in both directions between State Route 99/New Salem Highway and Old Salem Road. The city says all work is weather-dependent, so Aug. 5 is a scheduled end date rather than a guaranteed reopening.

What is closed

The closure began Wednesday, July 29. Drivers should expect the affected section between the New Salem Highway intersection and Old Salem Road to remain closed during the scheduled work period.

Posted southbound detour

For southbound Veterans Parkway traffic, the posted detour runs:

• East on Old Salem Road;
• West on New Salem Highway, also designated State Route 99; and
• Back onto Veterans Parkway.

The city identifies this as the detour for southbound Veterans Parkway traffic. Drivers should follow temporary signs and message boards rather than assume the route applies to every movement through the area.

Why crews are closing the roadway

The closure allows crews to raise and rebuild the New Salem Highway-Veterans Parkway intersection. A temporary traffic signal is also being installed at the New Salem Highway-Old Salem Road intersection during the work.

The work is part of Phase 3 of the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s New Salem Highway widening project.

Longer project will continue into 2027

TDOT’s Phase 3 segment covers approximately 2.4 miles from west of Veterans Parkway to Cason Lane. The project will widen New Salem Highway, or SR 99, from a two-lane roadway to a five-lane facility with a dedicated center turn lane.

Construction on Phase 3 began in February 2025. TDOT estimates completion by December 2027, but the agency notes that the schedule is subject to change.

What Murfreesboro drivers should do

Drivers using Veterans Parkway near New Salem Highway should allow additional time, slow down in the work zone and move over for roadside workers and equipment. The city points motorists to official traffic updates, the TDOT SmartWay map and 511 for current information.

The scheduled closure falls shortly before Murfreesboro’s Aug. 6 election and the return of school traffic. Commuters and families should account for the active detour in their travel plans without assuming the closure will affect polling access or school operations.

The Aug. 5 end date remains subject to weather and construction progress. Drivers should check for an official update before relying on the roadway reopening.

Sources

• City of Murfreesboro traffic advisory
• TDOT New Salem Highway project record