Former Interstate 265 Tennessee

Interstate 265 Tennessee
Nashville, TN•2.25 miles

Overview

Interstate 265 was a short connector between I-40 and the overlap of I-24/65 around the north side of Downtown Nashville.

Mileage by State

Tennessee2.25 mi

Data Sources

January 1991 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

I-24/65 south at I-265 - Music City USA Magnet
Music City USA magnet showing the split of I-265from I-24/65 south purchased by contributor Jeff Morrison in 1994.

Interstate 265 was part of the "loop system" envisioned to move traffic efficiently and accommodate the local streets to the Interstate Highway System. I-265 represented downtown loop while the outer loop was designated Interstate 440.1

The Tennessee State Highway Department $90 million road building program in Nashville / Davidson County developed in 1963 included funding for a $4.237 million contract for grading, drainage and bridges on 1.6 miles of Interstate 265. Constructed started in 1966 built the section of I-265 connecting I-40 with the Cumberland River Bridge.2

Interstate 265 in Tennessee was decommissioned on April 7, 2000, per an action by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Route Numbering subcommittee. The route was renumbered as part of I-65 in an effort to better disperse through traffic around central Nashville:

The purpose of this request is to eliminate some of the traffic congestion of the east loop on the interstate system in Nashville.

I-65 formerly overlapped with I-24 to the east of Downtown and with I-40 to the southeast. The reroute overtook I-265 to the north, and formed a new overlap with I-40 around the west side of the central business district.

North End Interstate 24 Interstate 65 ‐ Nashville, TN

Interstate 24 Interstate 65 at Interstate 265

I-24/65 south at I-265 - Nashville, TN

I-24 east/I-65 south at the former north end of Interstate 265. Photo by Kelly G. Kawamoto (07/93).

I-24/65 south at I-265 - Nashville, TN I-265 north at I-24/65 - Nashville, TN

South End Interstate 40 ‐ Nashville, TN

Interstate 40 East at Interstate 265

I-40 east in Nashville, Tennessee ahead of I-265 north in 1995.

I-40 east 0.75 miles ahead of Interstate 265 in Nashville. 05/29/95

I-40 east in Nashville, Tennessee ahead of I-265 north in 1995. Diagrammatic sign for I-265 north on I-40 east in 1995 I-40 east at I-265 / Exit 208 in Nashville, TN.

References

  1. "Loop System Will Relieve Burden." Nashville Banner (TN), March 30, 1962.
  2. "Record Road Building Set." Nashville Banner (TN), April 30, 1963.
Updated April 12, 2023