The Tennessee Department of Transportation has approved a proposal to close parts of Broadway to traffic on weekend nights until September.
Nashville mayor John Cooper announced the decision during a news briefing on Thursday, FOX 17 News reports. Mayor Cooper closed 4th and 5th Avenues intersecting Broadway to traffic on Sunday after large crowds packed the downtown area during Labor Day weekend.
The mayor said TDOT approved the closure to continue this weekend and extend through the end of September, FOX 17 News reports.
"It's a pilot project, we're trying to decluster crowds," Mayor Cooper said.
Broadway will once again be closed from 4th to 5th Avenue from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, while cross streets will remain open. Mayor Cooper's office said the decision was made in an effort to promote greater space for social distancing, FOX 17 News reports.
Prior to Labor Day weekend, the Nashville Health Department attempted to limit crowds by closing one lane of Broadway. However, the downtown area was still packed, leading Mayor Cooper to request a temporary shutdown for part of Broadway.
Health Department officials expect it to take a few days before Nashville sees a direct impact from Labor Day weekend in its reported number of coronavirus cases. The department reported 1,052 active cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.
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