Nashville Updates Broadway Safety Measures Following Bourbon Street Attack
on Sep 09, 2025
Nashville Implements New Safety Measures To Keep Visitors Safe
In recent years, downtown Nashville has skyrocketed to the top of America’s party scene, with millions of people hitting Lower Broadway each year to enjoy the popular destination.
Due to growing pedestrian volumes, the city implemented weekend street closures along the street several years ago, converting the roadway into a pedestrian zone to alleviate sidewalk overcrowding during busy nighttime hours.
Now, Nashville is implementing even more safety measures following major terrorist attacks in big cities, including the New Year’s Day Bourbon Street incident.
On January 1, 2025, a 42‑year‑old U.S. Army veteran from Texas deliberately drove a rented Ford F‑150 pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Metro Council has officially approved $2.6 million to install Raptor-brand retractable bollards at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Broadway.
Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin said the initiative is part of the cities goal of keeping visitors safe.
“One of our top priorities is keeping people safe, and especially in downtown Nashville,” Kupin said.
What Do The Bollards Entail?
Currently, police vehicles are used to block off Broadway during busy nights and weekends. The new bollards are expected to reduce the need for that manpower, allowing officers to be reassigned to ensure public safety.
Officials say they went with the Raptor model because installation requires less digging and has less impact on the area.
The bollards will be installed as part of a pilot program beginning in mid-November and are expected to be completed by January. The city plans to evaluate the program after one year and may expand it to other locations if it proves successful.
Nashville City Council Calls For Increased Safety Measures Following 22-Year-Old’s Death In 2023
In March 2023, the metro city council pushed for changes to increase the safety in downtown Nashville following the tragic death of a college student.
22-year-old Riley Strain went missing at the time after being kicked out of Luke Bryan’s bar on Broadway in downtown Nashville. Strain was later found deceased in the Cumberland River after an extensive two-week search.
Shortly after his death, the Nashville City Council unanimously approved a resolution requesting that the Metro Government provide a “comprehensive analysis of recommended changes to increase the safety, security, housing resources for the unhoused, and cleanliness of the properties surrounding the Cumberland River within the downtown interstate loop.”
