Project Overview
WeGo Public Transit is building a new Donelson Transit Center that will bring increased bus service and new connections to the area, including more frequent trips on Route 6 Lebanon Pike. The service expansion is made possible by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Choose How You Move program, which will fund 12 future transit centers.
Donelson Transit Center will deliver a modern, accessible, and safe facility designed to enhance rider experience and improve transit service in the Donelson-Hermitage area. The existing facility was originally constructed by the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) as a Park & Ride Lot for the WeGo Star. The proposed infrastructure improvements and transit amenities are necessary for WeGo to expand and provide safe and reliable transit service in the Donelson-Hermitage area.
Planned improvements will include:
- Six bus bays with accessible, outdoor covered waiting areas
- Seating, lighting, and security cameras
- Digital signage displaying real-time arrival and departure information
- New vehicle and pedestrian access to Donelson Pike with a new traffic signal
- Improved pedestrian connections
- Railroad Quiet Zones to minimize train horn noise in the community through vehicle and pedestrian safety improvements at rail crossings
- Rideshare pick-up and drop-off locations
- Bicycle racks and micromobility/bikeshare docking stations
- Future amenities will include:
- Climate-controlled indoor waiting area with seating
- Ticket vending machines
- Employee facilities
Browse the images and design concepts below to gain a better understanding of the project scope.
Project Timeline
Construction of the transit infrastructure enhancements is anticipated to begin mid-2026, followed by the transit center building in late 2026 or early 2027. All transit improvements are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Engagement Opportunities
WeGo is hosting two public meetings to share more information on the project and answer any questions the community may have. The meeting details are below.
- [Insert Date], from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Donelson Library (2714 Old Lebanon Pike)
- [Insert Date], from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Donelson Library (2714 Old Lebanon Pike)
An online survey is available for community members to provide input on the project and sign up for future updates. The survey will be open until [insert date]. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey using the link below.
Community Survey
Purpose & Benefits
- Increased Frequency: The transit center will increase frequency for Route 6 Lebanon Pike (upgrade to a Frequent Network Route), providing better transit reliability and trip planning options along the Lebanon Pike corridor.
- Future Expansion: This transit center brings the potential to add a new crosstown route connecting Donelson to other parts of the city, including a route from the airport to Opry Mills, as well as additional special event bus services such as the Titans Express, New Years Eve train and Fourth of July train.
- Network Growth: Transit centers help neighborhood service grow by bringing more riders together and making service cheaper to operate.
- Economic Impact: Infrastructure investments and increased transit accessibility will add value to surrounding properties in the community and RTA.
- Improved Rider Experience & Safety: Modern amenities, such as climate-controlled waiting areas and lighting, make transit more comfortable and can lead to increases in ridership.
- Better Accessibility: New pedestrian and vehicle access points make for easier connections.
- Noise Reduction: Railroad crossing quiet zones will minimize train horn noise in the community.
- Community-Friendly Design: Coordination with adjacent property owners and local stakeholders will provide a community focused space for all.
- Sustainable Transportation: Pedestrian connectivity, bike racks. and improved transit connections encourage eco-friendly travel and help reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on Nashville’s streets.
Community Coordination & Impacts
- Park & Ride lot will remain open during construction to serve the WeGo Star and bus service.
- A portion of the parking lot may be used for construction staging operations without impacting current, regular use.
- Proposed improvements will not impede use of RTA property for the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market. WeGo will coordinate with Hip Donelson to minimize disruption during construction.
FAQs
WeGo will weigh potential opportunities for airport parking at Donelson Station. Long-term parking for air travelers at Donelson Station is not anticipated to be a feature.
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Improved bus service will increase the frequency of buses passing through Donelson Station. This may result in more frequent noise from transit vehicles but doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in volume. The planned and potential transit service expansions (increased frequency and additional cross-town routes) will happen gradually after the infrastructure improvements are made, and there won’t be a sudden influx of buses in the area over a short timeframe. Additionally, the implementation of the quiet zone at the two nearby at-grade railroad crossings will significantly reduce noise from train horns.
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While expanding transit services will increase the number of buses on the roadway, it will provide Nashvillians with improved options to utilize transit instead of relying on personal vehicles, ultimately reducing congestion and improving air quality by reducing the number of personal vehicles on the roadway.
As part of a separate project, the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) is currently implementing Smart Signal technology at 36 intersections along Lebanon Pike that are designed to improve traffic flow and efficiency. Smart Signal technology will have a direct impact on the efficiency of transit service in the area.
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Providing increased transit service gives Nashvillians more options to reduce the number of personal vehicles on Nashville’s roadways, reducing congestion.
The new traffic signal at Donelson Pike will allow for safer access to and from the RTA property for buses and personal vehicles. Crosswalks will provide increased safety for pedestrians wishing to cross Donelson Pike. Improved pedestrian connections and walkability can reduce the number of short vehicle trips between residential and commercial areas surrounding Donelson Station.
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Co-locating the bus transit center with the WeGo Star station allows for easy transfers between the two services. Star riders will have access to the improved amenities being constructed with the bus infrastructure and riders of all modes will benefit from enhanced safety and security upgrades.
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H.G. Hill is still pursuing a mixed-use development adjacent to the RTA property, which will be constructed separately from the transit infrastructure in future phases.
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The redevelopment of Donelson Station has gone through several iterations over the years and at one time included the property currently occupied by FiftyForward and The Keeton Theatre. FiftyForward/The Keeton Theatre are not currently a partner in the redevelopment of Donelson Station. The proposed improvements will realign access to FiftyForward/The Keeton Theatre from Donelson Pike, providing safer and more efficient access to the property at the new traffic signal. WeGo is committed to delivering a project that maintains the functionality of surrounding properties.
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Proposed improvements will not impede use of RTA property for the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market. WeGo will work with Hip Donelson to minimize disruption during construction.
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Preliminary construction estimates are in the range of $13 – 15 million.
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While Donelson Station is located within Davidson County and is served by WeGo local buses, it was built and is owned by the RTA. Because the need for transit expansion and opportunity for redevelopment had already been identified prior to the passing of the 2024 Transportation Referendum, funding for the project was secured through other sources.
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Construction of the transit infrastructure is anticipated to begin mid-2026, followed by the transit center building in late 2026 or early 2027. All transit improvements are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
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