TDOT stops interstate construction for Memorial Day Weekend

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will stop all interstate construction work this Memorial Day weekend in anticipation of heavy holiday travel. TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely has instructed all of the department’s crews and contractors to stop road construction work starting at 4 p.m., Friday, May 26, through the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 30. This will provide maximum roadway capacity to the many motorists expected to travel through the state this holiday weekend. Construction on all interstates will be stopped and projects on all state routes carrying average daily traffic of 30,000 vehicles or greater will be also be put on hold. “Suspending construction on holiday weekends is now common practice for TDOT,” said Commissioner Nicely. “We believe it is more important to keep traffic moving and to allow people to travel without interruptions during the holidays than it is to continue to work during these busy travel periods. We want everyone to have an enjoyable trip and to stay safe.” There may be some lane closures in place on long term construction projects. Drivers should obey all posted speed limits, particularly in construction zones, even when workers are not present. The slower speeds are necessary due to the temporary layout of the roadway in construction zones and will be strictly enforced. Travel will be up slightly this Memorial Day holiday despite high gas prices and increasing vacation costs, according to AAA Auto Club South. AAA estimates that nationwide, 37.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, nearly a 1 percent increase from last year. AAA Auto Club South estimates that 685,000 Tennesseans are expected to travel this weekend, with 554,555 projected to drive, 71,555 scheduled to fly and approximately 59,629 traveling by bus.