Coffee County, TN – Interstate 24 returned to normal operations after being closed for roughly an hour on Tuesday afternoon due to debris falling from a bridge that is under construction. The debris came from the old Murfreesboro Highway bridge at the 105 interchange in Manchester, where crews are replacing the aging structure with a new bridge.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) responded quickly to the situation, using rolling roadblocks to clear debris from the interstate below. Rae Anne Bradley, Regional Communications Officer for TDOT, explained the situation to partner station WMSR, saying, “We’ve got an active bridge replacement project at this location. Debris from the old bridge fell onto I-24. Shoring was placed under the bridge to prevent any further debris from falling.”

Fortunately, TDOT confirmed that the overpass is structurally sound and posed no safety risks to drivers. Bradley reassured the public that the old bridge is no longer in use and that no additional lane closures are expected until after the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

The bridge replacement project is part of ongoing improvements to Tennessee’s infrastructure. TDOT estimates the new Murfreesboro Highway bridge and roadway will be completed by the end of August 2025.

For now, traffic is flowing smoothly on I-24, and TDOT encourages drivers to remain cautious when traveling through construction zones. Thanks to quick action and efficient debris removal, inconvenience to motorists was minimized Tuesday during the brief closure.