Latest News

  • Work Zone Shifted to West Side
    4/8/2020

    Work in the middle of the roadway has been completed, and construction activities have shifted to the west side of the roadway. Two lanes of traffic remain open in both the north and south directions.

  • Work Zone Shifting to Interior Lanes
    12/17/2019

    Starting Tuesday, December 17, at 9 a.m., the construction work zone for the Elvis Presley Boulevard Improvement project will shift to interior lanes. This adjustment will impact Elvis Presley Boulevard between Winchester Road and Brooks Road. There will be two lanes available for northbound and southbound traffic at all times. The new work zone configuration is expected to last until spring 2020.

    Left turn access onto this segment of Elvis Presley Boulevard will be limited during this phase in construction. Right-in and right-out access will be provided to adjacent properties.

  • North Segment Construction Begins
    3/20/2019

    Construction will begin on the North Segment (from Winchester Road to Commercial Parkway) on March 27, 2019, and is planned to last until September 2020.

    The initial phase of work will be on the east side of the roadway, impacting northbound traffic. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction for the entire construction period. All business along the corridor will remain open and accessible at all times.

Project History and Purpose

Elvis Presley Boulevard (State Route 3/US 51) serves as both a gateway to an important tourist attraction, Graceland, as well as the major commercial corridor for residents of the Whitehaven community. Commercial decline, with increased vacancies and neglect, has resulted in an increase in crime and a deteriorated appearance along a corridor intended to welcome visitors to both Graceland and the City of Memphis. A variety of economic development plans prepared by local residents, the City and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (the company managing Graceland and related attractions) call for improvements along the corridor to spur redevelopment and create a more appropriate and welcoming gateway entrance to Graceland and the City.

Due to the age of the roadway and the heavy levels of truck traffic, the road condition has deteriorated, creating safety issues in the area. Additionally, the high levels of pedestrian traffic associated with Graceland and the lack of both pedestrian-friendly crossings and continuous sidewalks create an unwelcoming and potentially unsafe environment for tourists and other pedestrians moving through the corridor.

Project Description

The project involves almost 3 miles of improvements along Elvis Presley Boulevard, from Shelby Drive to Brooks Road. Projects elements will include:

Roadway Improvements Sidewalks and Crosswalks
Streetscape Improvements Drainage Improvements
Pavement Enhancement) Street Lighting
Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements Utility Enhancements
Signage Traffic Signals

These will substantially improve the operational, functional, and aesthetic characteristics of the roadway.

Project Drawings

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Project Map and Segments


 

Typical Section - North Segment


 

Typical Section - Middle Segment


 

Typical Section - South Segment