President Obama eases commute along I-40

Nashville, Tenn. – Thanks to President Obama, I-40 and White Bridge Road will receive much-needed attention via construction.

Due to the stimulus bill that President Obama signed earlier in the year, out of the millions that the state of Tennessee received, $32 million has been allocated to complete the reconstruction of I-40 and White Bridge.

A significant number of Tennessee State University students use this I-40/White Bridge Road junction to commute to and from their native homes in Memphis, their apartments in Bellevue, the West Nashville Wal-Mart and even their jobs.

“I’m happy changes are going to be made to that part of I-40,” said Jasmine Moseley, a sophomore Biology major, from Nashville, TN. “Although right now, the construction creates a lot of traffic from the 46^th Ave exit all the way to the Old Hickory exit going 40 [I-40] west. So it takes longer for me to get to my apartment in the afternoons.”

While the construction now, creates more, elongated traffic, the results are promising.

Commuters of the I-40 at White Bridge interchange will be happy once the project is complete.

“This project will not only improve traffic flow in this area, the noise barriers will provide some much needed peace and quiet for the residents who live along this stretch of I-40. I want to thank Governor Bredesen and Commissioner Nicely for their commitment to these crucial efforts,” said Representative Gary Odom. (http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/2187)

However, had it not been for President Obama signing the stimulus bill, the efforts and commitment by Governor Bredesen would still have yet to be enacted.

- James Wilson

Will going out on Saturday Nights become more Expensive for you?

Nashville, Tenn. – You may have to start paying to park in downtown Nashville on Saturdays.
This affects over half of the Tennessee State University Student body in more ways than one.

Most students at Tennessee State University go out on the weekends to different venues around and in downtown Nashville. If the Nashville Traffic and parking commission passes this ordinance, going out on Saturday nights will become a little more expensive, especially for college students.

The Public Works Department of Nashville, TN will vote on whether to reinstate the “Saturday Enforcement” on December 9, 2009. If the Public Works Department votes to pass it, the Nashville Traffic and Parking Commission must approve the ordinance.

“I think they’re looking for another way to make money off of the hard working people of Nashville”, Jasmine Moseley, a sophomore from Nashville, TN said when asked about the possible ordinance. However, Moseley’s comments do raise some eyebrows as to the motivation behind the ordinance.

While no one from the Public Works Department could be reached for comment, in the Traffic Engineering Staff Report for The Traffic and Parking Commission of Nashville, it was discovered that one of the benefits of the “Saturday Enforcement” would be and increase of meter revenue for use by the traffic and parking operations.

For more information about the reinstatement of the “Saturday Enforcement”, you may visit:
http://www.nashville.gov/pw/pdfs/meetings/2009/091012sr.pdf

- James Wilson