Road construction won’t slow motorists down as they travel Tennessee’s highways this Memorial Day weekend.  The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 25 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29.  This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists expected to travel in the state this Memorial Day weekend.

“Halting road construction during this busy holiday weekend will minimize congestion and delays on Tennessee’s interstates, said Commissioner John Schroer. “We want to keep traffic flowing so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.”

Motorists will still encounter some lane closures on long term construction projects. Drivers should be aware that reduced speed limits will be in effect in work zones.  Slower speeds are necessary in work zones due to the temporary layout of the roadway.  Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

“Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer and we want everyone to arrive at their destination safely,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole.  “If you’re traveling this Memorial Day weekend, be sure to buckle up and avoid distractions inside your vehicle.”

AAA estimates 34.8 million people will travel more than 50 miles this Memorial Day holiday, reflecting a slight nationwide increase of 1.2% from 2011.  Of this number, AAA predicts nine out of ten travelers will travel by car. In Tennessee, AAA projects 613,327 will travel by automobile and 58,168 by air, which is a 1.5% increase over Tennessee’s 2011 travel numbers.

Updated travel and construction information can be found on the TDOT SmartWay website at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or you may call 5‑1‑1.  You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets @TN511 or any of TDOT’s otherTwitter pages.  Smartphone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs, and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination.  Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution and obey reduced speed limits in all TDOT work zones, regardless of lane closure activity. Information in this report is provided to the Department of Transportation by the contractors. Most work is weather dependent and subject to change due to inclement weather. For more information on this or any other TDOT road construction project or to view travel conditions in this area visit the TDOT SmartWay Information System web site ( http://www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/ ). People can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone to access up to date traffic conditions, or visit www.TN511.com ( http://www.tn511.com/ ). TDOT is also now on Twitter. For up to date traffic tweets for the Nashville area follow Nashville511 ( http://twitter.com/nashville511 ) on Twitter. For statewide traffic tweets just follow TN511 ( http://twitter.com/TN511 ). Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly. Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for your destination.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Repair of 14 Bridges over I-440

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 9AM-3PM, There will be temporary lane closures on Woodlawn Bridge while they are doing expansion joint repairs.

· Monday May 7 through Wednesday May 9, 9AM-3PM, There will be inside shoulder closures on I-440 westbound between Acklen Drive and West End for the removal of debris from the inside of the access ports at the bridge.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Central Pike from US 70 to Stoners Creek

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 9AM-3PM, There will be alternating lane closures on Central Pike from Lebanon Rd to Stoner’s Creek in order to install sidewalk, pave, and stripe the roadway. Flaggers will be utilized.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Bridge Construction on Gallatin Rd. over the CSX Railroad

· From now through November 2012, Gallatin Rd. will be reduced to one lane in each direction in this area.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Bridge Rehabilitation on I-24 over Main St. and Woodland St.

· Thursday May 3 and Tuesday May 8 through Wednesday, May 9, 8PM–5AM, There will be a temporary lane closures on Main Street and Woodland Street, from South Fifth Street to Interstate Drive, to perform saw cutting.  One lane will remain open.

· Thursday May 3, 9PM–5AM, The right lane of I-24 eastbound will be temporarily closed from MM 48.0 to MM 48.6 in order to remove overhangs on bridges. Two lanes will remain open.

· Tuesday May 8 and Wednesday May 9, 9PM–5AM, The right lane of I-24 westbound will be temporarily closed from MM 50.0 to MM 48.2 in order to remove overhangs on bridges. Two lanes will remain open.

· Friday May 4 at 9PM through Monday May 7 at 5AM, I-24 eastbound and westbound will be closed from the I-24/I-65 split north of downtown to the I-24/I-40 split east of downtown to remove existing bridge deck, install bridge deck panels, mill existing asphalt surface and set barrier rail. Main Street and Woodland Street, from South Fifth Street to Interstate Drive, will also be closed to perform saw cutting. Detours will be in place.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Repair of the I-24 (Silliman Evans) Bridge over Nashville & Eastern Railroad

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 8PM-5AM, There will be alternating lane closures on Hermitage Ave. for painting operations.

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 8PM- 6AM, There will be alternating lane closures on I-24 eastbound in order to remove the containment system.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Bridge Repair on Lebanon Rd. over Browns Creek

· Thursday May 3, 7PM-6AM, There will be alternating lane closures in order to stripe the roadway and shift traffic.

· Friday May 4, 9AM-3PM, There will be shoulder closures on Lebanon Rd. in order to set concrete barrier rail.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, I-440 Eastbound from I-65 to I-24

· Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6, 8PM-5AM, There will be one lane of I-440 eastbound closed from Nolensville Rd. to west of I-24 with periodic traffic paces to remove an existing DMS structure.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, Miscellaneous Safety Improvements On SR 386 @I-65 in Davidson County to SR 174

· Thursday May 3 through Tuesday May 8, 8PM-6AM, There will be alternating lane closures on SR 386 beginning at I-65 in Davidson County to SR 174 (Long Hollow Pike) in order to perform the installation of guardrail and guardrail delineation enhancement. One lane will remain open.

· Thursday May 3 through Tuesday May 8, 8PM-6AM, There will be alternating lane closures on SR 386 beginning at I-65 in Davidson County to SR 174 (Long Hollow Pike) in order to install permanent signs. All lanes will remain open.

· Thursday May 3 through Tuesday May 8, 9AM-3PM There will be shoulder closures on SR 386 beginning at I-65 in Davidson County to SR 174 (Long Hollow Pike) in order to install permanent signs. All lanes will remain open.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE, On-call concrete repair

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 6AM-8PM, Traffic on the ramps at exit 31(New Hope Rd.) on I-24 eastbound and westbound in Cheatham County will be shifted in order to perform concrete repairs. One ramp lane will remain open.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Resurfacing on SR 1 from SR 268 (Thompson Lane) to US 41 (SR 2)

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 8PM-5AM, There will be alternating lane closures on SR 1 in order to pave the roadway. One lane will remain open in each direction.

WILLIAMSON AND CHEATHAM COUNTIES, Resurfacing and Bridge Repair on I-40

· Friday May 4, 8PM through Monday May 7, 5AM, There will be alternating lane closures on I-40 eastbound and westbound on the Harpeth River Bridge (near MM 190.0) in order to perform bridge repair.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Widening of I-65 from SR 248 (Goose Creek) to SR 96

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, at 12 Noon, (excluding weekends), Traffic on I-65 northbound and southbound will be paced in order to blast.

· Thursday May 3, 9AM-12 Noon, The right lane of SR 96 westbound will be closed for utility location.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Construction on SR 397 (Mack Hatcher Pkwy.) from south of SR 96 to SR 6

· From now through Wednesday May 9, 9AM-3PM, (excluding weekends), There will be alternating lane and shoulder closures of SR 96 from Buckingham Circle to Jordan Lane will be closed for utility work.

DAVIDSON/SUMNER COUNTIES, Miscellaneous Safety Improvements

Local Program Project-Gateway (Korean Veterans) Blvd.

· From now through December 2012, Traffic on 8th Ave. south and north will be reduced to one lane approaching the Lafayette St. intersection in order to construct roundabout.

WILSON COUNTY, SR-171 (Mt Juliet Road) Widening: (Recovery Act Project)

· Friday May 4, 7PM–6AM, There will be alternating lane closures on Lebanon Road (SR-24), from Sunset Circle to Lineberry Blvd, to perform asphalt milling. One lane will remain open.

· Sunday May 6 through Wednesday May 9, 7PM–6AM, There will be alternating lane closures on Lebanon Road (SR-24), from Sunset Circle to Lineberry Blvd, for the installation of traffic signal equipment and loops. One lane will remain open.

· Tuesday May 8 through Wednesday May 9, 9AM–3PM, There will be temporary lane closures on Mt. Juliet Road (SR-171) near the Division Street intersection for the shifting of traffic at the concrete paver crosswalk.

WILSON COUNTY, Resurfacing I-40 from East of SR 840 to East of US 70

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 8PM-5AM, There will be alternating lanes closed of I-40 westbound (MM 239-235) and I-40 eastbound (MM 235-239) in order to pave the roadway. One lane will remain open.

WILSON & SUMNER COUNTIES, Bridge Construction on SR 109 over the Cumberland River

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 8PM- 6AM, The northbound lane of SR 109 will be closed in order to pour concrete.

GILES COUNTY, Resurfacing on I-65 from the Alabama State Line to US 64

· Friday May 4, 8PM through Monday May 7, 6AM, There will be one lane closed on I-65 southbound between MM 2.5 and MM 3.5 for bridge repair work on the Elk River Bridge.

Resurfacing on I-24 from West of Baker Rd Bridge to West of SR 840

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 8PM-5AM, There will be alternating lane closures on I-24 in order to install snowplowable markers and mill the roadway.  One lane will remain open in each direction.

TDOT Maintenance:

Middle Tennessee

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, (excluding weekends), 9AM-3PM, There will be possible lane closures at various locations on State Routes and Interstates in Middle Tennessee to patch potholes on an as needed basis:

I-24 Cheatham, Davidson, Montgomery and Robertson Counties

I-65 Davidson, Robertson, Williamson Counties

I-40 Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Humphreys Counties

Davidson County

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, 8PM-2AM, (excluding weekends), The left lane will be closed on I-40 eastbound between mile marker 212 and mile marker 214 for ditch cleaning and brush removal. One lane will remain open.

· Thursday May 3 and Tuesday May 8, 8PM-2AM, At the I-24/I-40 split at Arlington Avenue the left lane will be closed on I-40 and the right lane will be closed on I-24 for milling and paving. One lane will remain open on both.

Montgomery & Robertson Counties

· Thursday May 3 through Wednesday May 9, (excluding weekends), 9AM-12PM, There will be one lane periodically closed on I-24 in both directions in Robertson and Montgomery Counties to move equipment between mile marker 20 and mile marker 12 in order to trim vegetation overhanging the roadway.  One lane will remain open.

Smith County

· Thursday May 3, 8PM-3AM, The right lane will be closed on I-40 westbound at mile marker 254 for bridge deck repair. One lane will remain open.

Williamson County

· Monday May 7 through Wednesday May 9, 8PM-5AM, There will be alternating lane closures on I-65 southbound between mile marker 66 (McEwen Bridge) and mile marker 65 for milling and paving. Two lanes will remain open.

TDOT Utilities

· From now through Thursday May 31, 7PM to 6AM, On Dickerson Rd. (SR 11) starting at E. Trinity Lane ending at Hart Lane in Davidson County. This request by Piedmont Gas to insert a 2” gas line into an existing 4” main all roadway cuts will be on the east side of Dickerson Road.

· Sunday May 6 through Thursday May 10, 7PM-6AM, At 4770 Lebanon Pike, Pour House Restaurant to open-cut across Lebanon Pike, SR-24 for 6” water service line, with fire hydrant assembly in Davidson County. This request, by Fire Sprinkler Service will have Flag Pro Trucks, Police Officer and arrow board trucks to perform this work.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution and obey reduced speed limits in all TDOT work zones, regardless of lane closure activity. Information in this report is provided to the Department of Transportation by the contractors. Most work is weather dependent and subject to change due to inclement weather. For more information on this or any other TDOT road construction project or to view travel conditions in this area visit the TDOT SmartWay Information System web site ( http://www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/ ). People can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone to access up to date traffic conditions, or visit www.TN511.com ( http://www.tn511.com/ ). TDOT is also now on Twitter. For up to date traffic tweets for the Nashville area follow Nashville511 ( http://twitter.com/nashville511 ) on Twitter. For statewide traffic tweets just follow TN511 ( http://twitter.com/TN511 ).Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly. Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for your destination.

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews are preparing to shift traffic on Lebanon Road near Fesslers Lane. The traffic shift is part of a project to repair the Lebanon Road Bridge that crosses over Browns Creek.

The bridge project will require lane reductions on Lebanon Road. However, there will be two inbound lanes open and one outbound lane open during the morning rush hour. There will be two outbound lanes open and one inbound lane open during the evening rush hour.  At all other times, Lebanon Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

This work is part of a $1.3 million project that will replace the aging and deteriorated bridge deck over Browns Creek.  The entire project is expected to be complete by Spring 2013.

TDOT will use portable message boards to alert motorists of the lane closures and traffic shift. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect delays. TDOT asks drivers to use caution, reduce their speed and be alert to changing traffic conditions in work zones across the state.

For more information on TDOT construction project activity visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/.  Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information or can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel information or www.twitter.com/Nashville511 for traffic information in the Nashville area.  Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly.  Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle.  TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for their destination.

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will close a three mile section of I-24 near downtown Nashville this weekend for a major bridge rehabilitation project over Main and Woodland Streets.

I-24 eastbound and westbound will be closed from the I-24/I-65 split north of downtown to the I-24/I-40 split east of downtown beginning Friday April 20, at 9:00 p.m.  The interstate will open no later than Monday April 23 at 5:00 a.m.

In addition, Main Street and Woodland Street, from South 5th Street to Interstate Drive, will be closed to perform bridge repairs. Detours will be in place.

*All work is weather dependent, but this weekend’s forecast of rain should not impact construction activities.

During the project’s first weekend interstate closure, workers will be removing deteriorated concrete from the bridge decks and setting barrier rail. The repairs are part of an $8.7 million project to rehabilitate bridges that were built in 1961. The project will require the total closure of a section of I-24 for 13 weekends this spring and summer.

Drivers passing through downtown Nashville will follow detour signs instructing them to take the west loop around downtown.  Project closures and detour maps are available at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/i24bridges/maps.shtml.  A new East Nashville specific map, along with other maps to access downtown have recently been added.

TDOT will use its overhead Dynamic Message Signs to direct motorists around the closure. Drivers are advised to be alert and follow the posted directions. Law enforcement officers will be on site in the work zone to provide traffic control as the work is being completed. TDOT also asks drivers to use caution, reduce their speed and be alert to changing traffic conditions in work zones across the state.

For more information on TDOT construction project activity visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/.  Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information or can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel information or www.twitter.com/Nashville511 for traffic information in the Nashville area.  Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly.  Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle.  TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for their destination.