The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is currently constructing upgrades to State Route 222 in Haywood and Fayette counties. Two related projects are under construction: one is widening SR 222 between SR 468 and Camp Ground Road in Haywood County; the second is upgrading SR 222 from Hebron Drive to near Thorpe Drive in Fayette County. The second project also includes enhancements at the route's Exit 42 interchange with Interstate 40.
SR 222 is a north-south state highway in southwestern Tennessee, which connects the towns of Somerville and Stanton with I-40. The two projects are intended to accommodate the increased development in and around Blue Oval City/Memphis Regional Megasite in Stanton in Haywood County. Located in a 4,100-acre, 6-square-mile industrial park, Blue Oval City is the $5.6 billion Ford Motor Company campus focused on electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, which is projected to create approximately 6,000 jobs in the Stanton area, boosting the local economy.
Travel demand for commuter traffic is anticipated to increase once the Megasite is fully developed and operational. Additionally, the amount of freight traffic both entering and exiting the Megasite is anticipated to increase.
“SR 222 is the only north-south route directly connecting the area to the interstate,” said Nichole Lawrence, TDOT Region 4 Communications Officer. “These improvements will ease peak-hour congestion, minimize delays, enhance safety, and prepare the corridor for higher vehicle volumes. Combined, these two route segments form a strategic corridor upgrade linking the Memphis Regional Megasite to I-40. They ensure efficient freight movement, workforce access, and long-term capacity for regional growth.”
The two projects on State Route 222 were originally 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.
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“SR 222’s upgrades evolved from routine highway management into a strategic response after Blue Oval City was announced in 2021,” Lawrence said. “TDOT completed environmental clearances by early 2024, procured the necessary builds by late 2023, and began construction soon after. The state-funded projects are on track to finish between late 2025 and spring 2026.”
According to TDOT, before the Blue Oval City development, average daily traffic (ADT) along the corridor was 7,740 vehicles per day (including approximately 10 percent trucks) and was projected to grow to 10,320 vehicles per day by 2034. With Blue Oval City traffic, the 2025 ADT projection is 10,860 vehicles per day (including approximately 22 percent trucks), and the 2045 ADT projection is 16,740 vehicles per day.
Each of the two project segments has a different primary contractor.
“The Northern Improvements to SR 222 [project] was needed to provide initial turning lanes into Blue Oval City, and the department decided to deliver this project through the design-build delivery method to expedite the construction of these turning lanes,” Lawrence said. “The SR 222 and Exit 42 improvements were delivered through our traditional design-bid-build method.”
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Ford Construction Company of Dyersburg, Tennessee, was awarded the contract for the SR 468 to Camp Ground Road/Haywood County project. The designer is Bacon Farmer Workman. Delta Contracting Company, LLC of Jackson, Tennessee, is helming the Hebron Drive to Thorpe Drive and Exit 42 Interchange/Fayette County project. The designer is HDR.
Project cost for the Haywood County project is $22,732,269. The Fayette County project cost is $20,772,933. Both projects are 100 percent state funded.
“Major design and preparatory milestones [environmental approvals, bridge work, lane shifts] have been completed,” Lawrence said. “The projects are now in the active construction phase, with core roadway widening, drainage, and interchange modifications well underway. Both segments remain on schedule for their projected completions in October 2025 [for Haywood County] and May 2026 [for Fayette County].
“Currently, the Haywood project is actively excavating, placing gravel, signal installation, and draining installation, and paving started in July. The Fayette project is actively excavating for ramp improvements, concrete paving of ramps, and bridge repair.”
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Figures provided by TDOT illustrate the size of the projects to date:
- Excavation: 250,000 cubic yards
- Gravel base: 37,000 tons
- Asphalt pavement: 45,000 tons
- Concrete pavement: 12,000 square yards
- Gravel base: 53,000 tons
- Asphalt pavement: 14,500 tons Steve Sellers, TDOT Region 4 Alternative Delivery Manager, said that the SR 222 Northern project (Haywood County) is using innovative construction methods to meet tight schedules and complex demands.
“We are employing a progressive design-build approach that integrates design and construction, allowing faster decision-making and early procurement of critical materials like utility poles,” he said. “Coordinated efforts between contractors, utility companies, and the Blue Oval City site enable the relocation of overhead and underground utilities without disrupting power.
“To address challenging soil conditions, the construction team applies adaptive engineering solutions on site, modifying earthwork techniques as needed to maintain progress. These approaches ensure efficient delivery while maintaining service continuity and adapting to site-specific challenges.”
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According to Sellers, one of the primary challenges on the SR 222 projects has been maintaining continuous traffic flow while performing major roadway widening and utility relocations. To address this, TDOT has implemented carefully planned lane restrictions and traffic shifts, often scheduling lane closures during nighttime or off-peak hours to minimize disruption. These restrictions are temporary and closely coordinated to keep traffic moving safely throughout construction.
“Access to businesses, residences, and especially the Blue Oval City site has been a top priority,” Sellers said. “Construction plans include maintaining ingress and egress points for local properties, with constant communication between contractors and stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted access. The projects’ limited right of way and footprint in some areas require precise staging and construction sequencing to avoid impacting adjacent properties and utilities.
“Weather and soil conditions have also posed challenges, as the local soils are not ideal for road foundations and can become unstable with rain. The design-build team developed adaptive construction techniques, such as modifying earthwork methods based on real-time site conditions, to keep the project on schedule despite weather-related delays.
“Overall, the combination of strategic traffic management, stakeholder coordination, adaptive construction methods, and flexible scheduling has allowed the project to progress efficiently while minimizing impacts on the traveling public and local community.”
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Sellers said that the following challenges have required proactive planning, rapid procurement, and ongoing coordination to avoid delays and protect critical infrastructure serving Blue Oval City:
“Overhead utilities had to be moved from the east to the west side of SR 222. ... Power to the Blue Oval City site had to be maintained throughout,” Sellers said. “Close collaboration was needed between TDOT, contractors, and utility providers. Procurement and submittals for metal poles were fast tracked to stay on schedule. Once materials arrived, construction crews, utility teams, and Blue Oval contractors worked in tandem to avoid power disruptions.”
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“The local soils are not naturally suited for stable roadway construction, and rain and moisture further complicate soil work,” he added. “The design-builder created flexible solutions to address variable onsite soil conditions and maintain project momentum.”
“The SR 222 improvement project is expected to significantly boost economic development, population growth, and regional connectivity in West Tennessee,” Lawrence said. “By providing upgraded access to the Blue Oval City manufacturing hub, the project supports the creation of thousands of jobs and attracts new suppliers and industries to the area. It will also encourage residential growth as the workforce expands, while easing commuter and freight movement.
“Enhanced roadway capacity and safety are likely to improve regional tourism by offering better travel access to Memphis and surrounding attractions. Overall, the project positions the region for long-term competitiveness and sustained growth in transportation, manufacturing, and logistics.”
Photos courtesy of Tennessee Department of Transportation
