State Route 222
Fayette and Haywood counties
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is constructing upgrades to State Route 222 in Haywood and Fayette counties. Two projects are currently under construction: One project will widen SR 222 from near proposed State Route 468 to near Camp Ground Road, and the other project will improve SR 222 from Hebron Drive to near Thorpe Drive, including improvements to the interchange with Interstate 40 (Exit 42). Both projects are intended to accommodate the increased development in and around the Memphis Regional Megasite (Blue Oval City).
Current Status: Both projects are under construction.
Construction start: Varies
Estimated completion*: Varies
Funding Type: Both projects are 100% state funded.
| Haywood County |
||
|---|---|---|
| Proposed SR 468 to near Camp Ground Road | Construction | Estimated completion October 2025* |
| Fayette County |
||
| Hebron Drive to near Thorpe Drive, including I-40 Interchange (Exit 42) |
Construction | Estimated completion May 2026* |
Traffic Impacts
There will be inside lane closures both north and southbound starting from approximately 1600' north of Stanton-Somerville Road to the south side of the entrance to the Haywood County Fire Station.
History and Background
The 4,100-acre Memphis Regional Megasite was developed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 2006 Currently, one existing interstate interchange serves the Megasite at SR 222 (Exit 42). In addition, north-south connectivity from the existing roadway network is limited in this portion of northwest Fayette County, with SR 222 being the only north-south route with a direct connection in and around the Megasite.
On September 27, 2021, Governor Bill Lee announced that the Ford Motor Company had selected the Megasite for a vehicle and battery manufacturing campus.
In total, Ford projects that Blue Oval City will employ approximately 6,000 people between the electric vehicle manufacturing facility and battery manufacturing facility, which is anticipated to increase travel demand for commuter traffic once site operations are underway. In addition, the amount of freight traffic both entering and exiting the Megasite is anticipated to increase when the Megasite is fully developed and operational.
The two projects on State Route 222 were identified as two potential design elements of a larger series of roadway improvements. Ultimately, TDOT decided to evaluate the two SR 222 projects as standalone projects. To accommodate present and future development around the Megasite, TDOT is constructing or planning to construct several projects, both in the immediate vicinity of the Megasite and in the surrounding region:
Environment
A Tennessee Environmental Evaluation Report was completed and approved for the segment of SR 222 between proposed SR 468 and Camp Ground Road in December 2023.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved a Categorial Exclusion for the improvements to SR 222 near I-40 (Exit 42) in February 2024.
Project Materials
From Proposed SR 468 to near Camp Ground Road
From Hebron Drive to near Thorpe Drive, including I-40 Interchange (Exit 42)
Project Contacts
Nichole Lawrence
TDOT Region 4 Regional Communications Officer (Media)
Phone: 731.935.0318
Email: Nichole.Lawrence@tn.gov
From Proposed SR 468 to near Camp Ground Road
Steve Sellers
TDOT Region 4 Alternative Delivery
Phone: 615.741.0789
Email: steve.sellers@tn.gov[CR1]From Hebron Drive to near Thorpe Drive, including I-40 Interchange (Exit 42)
Andrew Webster
TDOT Region 4
Phone: 731.935.0358
Email: Andrew.t.webster@tn.gov
*Subject to change