A crash near Nashville International Airport (BNA) on Monday afternoon left travelers stranded.
Just before 4pm on Monday, TDOT posted on X that a crash on Terminal Drive was causing delays on the I-40 ramps to the airport and airport officials urged travelers to plan for extra travel time.
However, many drivers took to social media to say that this did not seem like an ordinary traffic backup due to an accident. Many wrote that they had been waiting for hours, some stuck on I-40 trying to get to the airport, others saying they were stranded at the airport, waiting on a rideshare.
How do you explain us not being able to get out the garage??? Can’t be a crash if traffic is gridlocked in and out of the airport
— Niesha ✌️& ❤️ (@ni_e_sha) September 15, 2025
3 hours trying to exit rental car garage. Still not even close. Surely this was something more than a crash? We were told the airport was on lockdown.
— Stephanie Sammons (@StephSammons) September 15, 2025
Some travelers even reported seeing drivers exit their vehicles and walk.
You mean the traffic that’s causing folks to exit their vehicles and travel up and down the highway?? pic.twitter.com/OPrQPlVvJZ
— Catherine Hilley (@chilley13) September 15, 2025
At 4:30pm, TDOT reported the crash had cleared but congestion remained.
UPDATE (4:30p): While the crash has cleared, congestion remains. @myTDOT Traffic Management Center is monitoring with HELP trucks to assist with traffic control where needed.
— ErinTDOT (@ErinTDOT) September 15, 2025
Around 5:45pm, BNA reported that Metro Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol had responded and were assisting with traffic management.
UPDATE 5:44 pm: The Department of Public Safety and Airport Operations are seeing a significant improvement in traffic volume, and we are continuing to assist with navigating the area. (1/2) https://t.co/K7qLQFFh7E
— Fly Nashville (@Fly_Nashville) September 15, 2025
TDOT had previously announced lane closures on Donelson Pike (State Route 255) near the airport for milling and paving.
“Now that milling and paving on Interstate 40 near the airport are complete, Vulcan crews are moving their work to Donelson Pike. Lane and temporary ramp closures are scheduled daily on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This milling and paving work should take three weeks,” states a press release.
This work is necessary to mill and pave the interstate as part of TDOT’s I-40 Interchange at Donelson Pike project. Intermittent lane closures on I-40 in the area will continue nightly (excluding Saturdays) as crews complete final work like striping, installing rumble strips, and applying texture coating.
Around 11:15 Monday evening, BNA posted on X that trafflic flow had returned to normal.
Latest Travel Update pic.twitter.com/jNqFuLr1qX
— Fly Nashville (@Fly_Nashville) September 16, 2025
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