MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Heads up Memphis drivers: starting this weekend, a repaving project will have a big impact on a stretch of one of the Bluff City's most traveled thoroughfares: Poplar Avenue.
The work by the Tennessee Department of Transportation will involve shutting down lanes at certain times, and is scheduled to last until the end of September.
The repaving on Poplar Avenue will be a more than two-mile stretch, between Perkins Extended and I-240.
While the construction, temporary lane closures, and detours will cause some headaches in the months ahead, drivers and those with TDOT are looking forward to a smoother ride once the works wrap up in the beginning of fall.
TDOT estimates 47,000 drivers use Poplar Avenue each day, and the wear and tear is visible in East Memphis.
Starting Sunday night, crews are scheduled to work seven days a week, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
There'll be single lane closures on that stretch of Poplar Avenue during that time, along with some temporary one-lane closures in the middle of the day, to avoid interrupting peak commute times.
Those wishing to avoid the repaving work are suggested to use Park Avenue or Walnut Grove Road as alternates.
Drivers who use Poplar Avenue often say they're ready for the changes.
"It will be a great improvement for Poplar, because let's be honest - Poplar to me is one of the most trafficked streets in Memphis, next to Union, and Union is much better. And this leads to a lot of residential areas, so this is needed to be neat, because Poplar take you everywhere," Rupert Desouza said.
You can check out TDOT's latest construction update on your computer or phone by going to or www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic or www.twitter.com/TN511.