Metro council member wants Nashville, Tennessee, Department of Transportation to help make Elm Hill Pike safer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – On Wednesday, a Metro council member said enough was enough after another accident on Elm Hill Pike in Donelson.

He called the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) and told News 2 this isn’t the first time he’s been asked to make safety improvements in the area.

In the eyes of those who live near Elm Hill Pike, it happens far too often – one accident after another. It has become such a problem that Metro Councilman Russ Bradford called NDOT and said Elm Hill Pike was a “problem location” that he had told them about “multiple times” during his time in office.

In the social media post, Bradford further stated that he had reached out to NDOT and asked that they “take action.”

“I hate to say this – I’m not surprised,” Bradford told News 2. “The last time I was able to get NDOT to make minor changes to this road was after weeks of reaching out to the media and basically said, ‘How?’” many more people are left to die or get injured? Give me a number so I can tell my constituents.’”

Data from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) showed there have been more than 23,000 crashes on city streets so far this year. A closer look at Elm Hill Pike revealed numerous accidents resulting in injuries. Just last week, MNPD Traffic Officer Cory West was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Elm Hill Pike and McCrory Creek Road.

“I have made NDOT aware of the issues on this route, particularly the lack of any turn lanes and signage,” Bradford said.

Last year, Bradford took his concerns to NDOT and held a town hall meeting. At the time, the department said there had been repeated accidents on the road. However, Bradford said he is still looking for meaningful change.

“We need a better designed street that allows people to enter and exit these neighborhoods safely,” Bradford said.

News 2 reached out to NDOT to ask what changes, if any, the department has planned for the road. At the time of publication, News 2 has not received a response. However, Bradford said he was told the agency was aware of the Wednesday morning accident and that they plan to work with MNPD to train drivers in the area.