TDOT Stops Interstate Construction for July 4 Holiday Weekend

Nashville, Tenn.– The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced today that all interstate construction work and work on major state routes will be put on hold this 4th of July 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 from Friday, July 1, through the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 5. This will provide maximum roadway capacity to the millions of motorists expected to travel through the state this holiday weekend.

Due to the layout of some highway construction zones, long-term lane closures will need to be kept in place for the safety of the traveling public. Those lane closures are located in the following areas:

• Nashville: Elm Hill Pike - Elm Hill Pike is reduced to one lane in each direction with a left turning lane. This is in order to install three separate water lines and construct the new Northbound Briley Parkway Bridge over Elm Hill Pike.
• Gallatin: Vietnam Veterans Blvd. at Gallatin Road - The on ramp from State Route 6 (Gallatin Rd.) onto State Route 386 (Vietnam Vets.) and the off ramp from State Route 386 (Vietnam Vets.) onto SR6 (Gallatin Road) are reduced to one lane for the next week in order to build the outside lanes of 2 new bridges.
• Memphis: The Midtown Interchange Project at I-40 and I-240 will have one lane closed due to the long-term traffic control plan for that project.

Drivers should also obey the speed limit, 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.

The AAA Auto Club South estimates that 874,000 Tennesseans will be traveling over the Independence Day weekend.

TDOT hopes everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July.