Road Construction Won’t Slow Labor Day Travelers in Tennessee
Commissioner Halts Lane Closures Surrounding Holiday Period

Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner Gerald Nicely today announced that construction related lane closure activity on Tennessee’s interstate and state highways will be suspended this Labor Day weekend in anticipation of increased holiday travel.

Crews will cease all lane closure activity at noon Friday, August 31 through the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 4. This will provide maximum roadway capacity to the many motorists expected to travel through the state during that period of time.

“Hundreds of thousands of motorists will be traveling our roadways this Labor Day holiday as they celebrate the end of summer,” said Commissioner Nicely. “We want to ensure that road construction does not get in the way of an enjoyable holiday period.”

Due to the layout of some highway construction zones, a few long-term lane closures will need to be kept in place for the safety of the traveling public.

The summer travel season could close with a record numbers of travelers during the Labor Day weekend. According to AAA Auto Club South, 632,073 Tennesseans are projected to travel during the Labor Day weekend, with 530,703 of those Tennesseans traveling by car and 101,370 traveling by air.

“We want everyone to have a safe holiday, so remember to buckle up, drive the speed limit and don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve had too much to drink,” said Kendell Poole, Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.

Nicely reminds motorists that road crews will return to work on Tuesday, September 4 and encourages motorists to be safe in work zones, “Already this year two contract workers have been struck and killed in Tennessee work zones and many others have been injured. We’re giving you a break from road construction this holiday. So, after the holiday, remember to give our workers a brake and slow down in work zones.”

For up-to-date travel information, motorists are reminded to call 511 from any land line or cellular phone or visit www.TN511.com.