JACKSON, Miss. (May 4, 2026) — Neel-Schaffer, Inc., in partnership with Wright Brothers Civil Construction, LLC, has been selected by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to deliver two key transportation projects on critical routes across the state using Progressive Design-Build and Design-Build.
The selections include the James Robertson Parkway (SR 6) project in downtown Nashville and the I-24 Shellmound Bridges project in Marion County, reflecting continued confidence in the team’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure improvements under accelerated schedules.
Wright Brothers and Neel-Schaffer have a proven track record of delivering award-winning projects together across the Southeast. Their experience includes Design-Build transportation projects and packages for GDOT, bridge Design-Build work for SCDOT, and the TDOT Apison Pike Phase III Reconstruction project. This history of collaboration positions the team to move efficiently from concept to construction while maintaining quality and schedule performance.
TDOT’s use of Design-Build and Progressive Design-Build models is intended to streamline project delivery by integrating design and construction into a single contract. This approach allows for earlier collaboration, improved risk management, and more efficient project execution while maintaining cost and schedule control.
The I-24 Shellmound Bridges project includes the replacement of both westbound and eastbound I-24 bridges. The primary objective is to deliver these improvements efficiently while maintaining traffic flow, ensuring public safety, and preserving local access throughout construction.
By leveraging the Design-Build framework, the project team will develop and implement construction sequencing and traffic control strategies that minimize disruption to the traveling public. The contract also requires modern roadway and bridge design standards to improve long-term corridor performance and accommodate future traffic demands.
“This is exactly the type of work alternative delivery was built for,” said Mitchell Simpson, President/CEO of Wright Brothers. “These projects require coordination, speed, and practical solutions in the field. Bringing the designer and contractor together from the start allows us to solve problems earlier and keep projects moving.”
The James Robertson Parkway project will reconstruct a key downtown Nashville corridor to align with the East Bank development, while the Shellmound Bridges project addresses aging infrastructure along a major interstate route. Together, they represent a broader effort by TDOT to modernize critical transportation assets across the state.
“Our partnership with Wright Brothers is built on a strong foundation of trust and a shared commitment to delivering for our clients,” said Richard Sullivan, PE, Senior Vice President at Neel-Schaffer. “That trust carries through to our work with TDOT. Our teams have built strong working relationships over time, and that confidence allows us to collaborate early, make informed decisions, and keep projects moving forward.”
Wright Brothers Civil Construction, LLC is an affiliate of Wright Brothers Construction Company, Inc., a leading heavy civil contractor serving the Southeast. It is headquartered in Charleston, TN.
