The ongoing widening of Middle Tennessee Boulevard along the MTSU campus is requiring the section between East Main and Bell streets ONLY to be closed for about three weeks with a planned reopening on Monday, July 3, officials say.

The scheduled 21-day project got underway as planned early Monday, July 12.

During the closure, pedestrian traffic at Bell Street and East Main will not be affected. The contractor will have staff available to help pedestrians cross safely if any work needs to happen in the Bell Street crosswalk.

The Bell Street entrance to MTSU will be closed to traffic entering campus but will be open for departing traffic. The Faulkinberry Drive entrance to the campus will remain open.

Although part of Middle Tennessee Boulevard will remain open, drivers are strongly encouraged to use detour routes during this time.

The 30-month, $15.7 million widening project will upgrade the .8-mile section of the thoroughfare between East Main and Greenland Drive. The city of Murfreesboro is overseeing the work, which is expected to be completed by fall 2018.

The enhancement will also include bike lanes, improved sidewalks and lighting, new traffic signals, decorative crosswalks and underground utilities.

The city is sharing project updates through an interactive online map at www.murfreesborotn.gov/mtb as well as via the Twitter account, @MTBlvd.

Below is the city of Murfreesboro’s traffic detour plan for the June 12 closure that was implemented during a similar closing last year, along with a plan showing access routes to the Ingram Building from campus around the construction area.

This map shows the portion of Middle Tennessee Boulevard that will close from June 12 to July 3 and the suggested detour routes, including how to get to the Ingram Building. (Courtesy of the City of Murfreesboro)