Nashville International Airport (BNA) experienced a surge of foot and vehicle traffic September 15 due to a nearby crash on Terminal Drive.
Information was shared by a representative of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Erin Zeigler, the organization’s Region 3 Regional Communications Officer, disclosed information about the traffic and its impacts.
At 4:52 p.m., the official shared on X that a crash was causing those on I-40 ramps to Nashville Airport to experience delays. Details about the type of crash that happened weren’t included. An update posted less than an hour later said, “while the crash has cleared, congestion remains.”
At 5:44 p.m., Nashville International Airport shared more information on X. The tweet noted that the Metro Police Department and the Tennessee State Highway Patrol were helping handle the intense traffic. It also said that the Department of Public Safety and Airport Operations had seen improvements in the traffic volume.
Shortly before 9 p.m., Nashville International Airport noted that while the “high passenger volume” continued improving, it was still “working diligently” to address the ongoing traffic issue. At 12:16 a.m., Tuesday morning, the airport noted that its foot traffic volume and flow had returned to its average — “70,000 departing and arriving passengers” daily. The latter update also mentioned that the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority would be conducting “an after-action review” to see what could be learned from the traffic incident and how that level of subsequent travel disruptions can be avoided in the future.
What Else Is There To Know About The Nashville Airport Gridlock?
During the increased travel times, the airport recommended that travelers arrive early. Fox 17 reported that during the Nashville Airport gridlock, rideshare prices for those leaving the airport rose to $200, compared to fares that are usually $40 to $50. The outlet added that the traffic incident was so severe that it caused some travelers to get stuck in Nashville. Meanwhile, others allegedly went as far as to leave their vehicles on the congested I-40 airport exit and trekked it to the airport to make their flights.
Zeigler reported September 14 that “milling and paving” was scheduled to happen the following day on Donelson Pike, also near Nashville International Airport. Her tweet said “lanes and ramps will be impacted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” and it also encouraged those heading to the airport to arrive extra early on Monday, September 15.
