Efforts to slow traffic and improve neighborhood safety are moving forward across Davidson County, as the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) has announced 25 streets selected for its Spring 2026 traffic calming program.
The projects, chosen from community-submitted applications, span 16 council districts and reflect a mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods seeking safer conditions for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike.
NDOT officials say the Neighborhood Street Traffic Calming Program continues to be one of the department’s most requested initiatives, driven by growing concerns over speeding and the safety of non-drivers in residential areas.
“These projects are about improving quality of life in our neighborhoods,” officials said in the announcement. “By reducing speeds and redesigning streets, we can create safer, more livable communities for everyone.”
Among the streets selected for prioritization are Maplewood Trace in District 5; Union Hill Road in District 1; 44th Avenue North in District 20; and Sweetbriar Avenue in District 18. Other locations stretch from Madison to Bellevue and Antioch, underscoring the citywide demand for traffic calming measures.
The selected projects were evaluated using several criteria, including vehicle speeds, traffic volume, the presence of pedestrian and bicycle activity, crash data involving vulnerable users, and proximity to schools, parks and community centers.
NDOT’s traffic calming approach focuses on a range of design strategies intended to encourage safer driving behavior. These include installing speed cushions, narrowing travel lanes, adding medians or ‘pinch points,’ and constructing traffic circles at intersections. Each treatment is tailored to the specific conditions of a street and its surrounding neighborhood.
Officials say many of these measures are designed to counteract roadway designs that naturally promote higher speeds, such as wide, straight streets with minimal visual obstacles. By introducing physical or visual changes, the program aims to prompt drivers to slow down and remain more attentive.
“Traffic calming isn’t just about enforcement. It’s about design,” NDOT materials note. “When streets are built in ways that encourage slower speeds, safer driving becomes the default.”
The department also highlighted additional tools such as speed radar signs, which provide real-time feedback to drivers; and speed tables, which create gradual vertical changes in the roadway to reduce speeds over longer distances. While effective, some measures must be carefully considered due to potential impacts on emergency response vehicles, transit routes and on-street parking.
Before construction begins, each selected project will go through a community engagement process. NDOT will coordinate with local council members and neighborhood groups to host meetings, gather input and refine design plans.
Following these discussions, residents within the project area will have an opportunity to vote on whether the proposed changes move forward. Ballots will be distributed to households, and at least 66% approval is required for a project to advance to construction.
Officials say this step ensures that traffic calming measures reflect community priorities and have strong local support.
Applications for the program remain open on a rolling basis, with selections made twice each year. NDOT encourages residents who are concerned about speeding or safety in their neighborhoods to apply for future consideration.
Beyond individual streets, the program is part of a broader effort to improve safety and accessibility across Nashville’s transportation network. By prioritizing pedestrian-friendly design, supporting bicycle access and reducing crash risks, NDOT aims to create streets that serve all users—not just drivers.
City leaders say the continued expansion of traffic calming projects reflects a growing recognition that safer streets contribute not only to fewer accidents, but also to stronger, more connected neighborhoods.
As the Spring 2026 projects move toward the design and approval phase, residents across Nashville will have a chance to help shape the future of their streets—one neighborhood at a time.
