The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state highways during the upcoming Memorial Day travel period in an effort to ease congestion for holiday travelers.
According to TDOT, lane closure activity will be halted beginning at noon on Friday, May 22, and will remain suspended until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. The move is intended to provide maximum roadway capacity as a record number of Tennesseans are expected to hit the roads for the holiday weekend.
AAA estimates that approximately 950,000 Tennesseans will travel over Memorial Day weekend, with nearly 795,000 expected to travel by car.
TDOT Commissioner Will Reid said the department hopes the suspension will help traffic move more safely and efficiently during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Officials are also reminding motorists to slow down and move over for emergency responders and TDOT HELP trucks assisting stranded drivers along Tennessee highways.
Drivers should note that some long-term construction zones may still have narrowed lanes or reduced speed limits in place. TDOT says motorists caught speeding in active work zones where workers are present could face fines of up to $500 in addition to court costs.
Travelers can monitor road conditions and traffic cameras through TDOT’s SmartWay system or by calling 511 before heading out. Officials also continue to urge drivers to avoid distracted driving and never text or use handheld devices while behind the wheel.
