NASHVILLE – Tennessee officials say active road construction shouldn’t slow the projected 831,000 motorists hitting interstates and state highways too much over the July 4 holiday with the Transportation Department planning to halt construction-related lane closures beginning at noon Friday and continuing through 6 a.m. on July 5.
“To help motorists reach their destinations safely and without unnecessary delays, we are suspending lane closures during this holiday travel time,” Transportation Commissioner John Schroer said today in a news release.
Motorists, however, will still encounter some long term lane closures on construction projects. While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on site in construction zones and reduced speed limits in work zones will still be in effect, the department says.
Officials also want motorists to know that anyone convicted of speeding through a work zone with workers present faces fines of $250 to $500 as well as court fees and possible increases in their insurance premiums.
AAA is projecting a record 46.9 million Americans will take to the road and travel 50 miles or more during the Independence Day weekend. That’s a 5 percent increase from last year.
More than 927,000 Tennesseans will travel during the holiday, with over 831,000 driving to their destinations.
TDOT says motorists can get the latest information on construction activity as well as live streaming from Smartway traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow TDOT at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel.
In 2016, three workers were killed in the line of duty, all struck by passing motorists. The department says the tragedies brought the total number of TDOT lives lost to 112.
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TDOT to halt construction-related lane closures over July 4 holiday period
