NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Driving down Broadway could look different; Metro’s Traffic & Parking Commission has discussed implementing retractable bollards in part of downtown Nashville.
A representative for the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) said as of publication, a retractable-style bollard pilot program is in the works. These retractable bollards would be piloted east of Fifth Avenue on Broadway. If successful, though, the program could expand to the remainder of Broadway to First Avenue.
The bollards are designed to stop 60,000 pounds traveling at 50 miles per hour. They could be operated individually, directionally or lane-by-lane, the NDOT representative added. The representative said the bollards are meant to free up the Metro Nashville Police Department’s resources from blocking traffic.
“It gives us a little maneuverability with design,” the representative explained to Traffic & Parking Commissioners. “We can move them out of the way of utilities and they’re a good product, we think.”
NDOT selected these bollards, called Raptor Retractable Shallow Mount bollards, due to their strength and due to the existing utility network underneath the street.
