As many Tennesseans are keeping warm inside their homes after being blanketed with a record snowfall, Tennessee Department of Transportation road crews are going on their third day of clearing the roads.
As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, traffic cameras show highways seem clear with only a few reports of abandoned vehicles along I-24.
TDOT is warning truckers to avoid State Route 141 in Macon County and State Route 246 West of 840 in Williamson County and to instead take State Route 231/State Route 10 and Highway 31 West of Spring Hill. Rebekah Hammonds, TDOT community relations officer, said on Wednesday that trucks have been getting stuck in both areas. She said TDOT is working to treat and clear the roads.
On Tuesday Hammonds said Nashville interstates are passable and some have multiple lanes clear. TDOT’s focus is now on and off ramps and state routes.
On Tuesday, Metro Nashville Police Department said while major roadway conditions continue to improve, neighborhood streets remain snowy and slippery. They advise to drive slowly should travel be necessary.
Tennessee Department of Transportation relocated more than 200 vehicles
On Monday, TDOT warned that roads are only going to get worse with the freezing temperatures.
Across the state, TDOT has responded to hundreds of incidents, many of them involving more than one vehicle. In the mid-state TDOT relocated 275 vehicles, in West Tennessee 82 drivers have been helped by Tuesday morning and in East Tennessee more than 200, they said in a statement.
According to Rae Anne Bradley, TDOT community relations officer, TDOT helped clear over 150 vehicles from roadways on Monday in the greater Upper Cumberland and Chattanooga areas.
Really? No, Tennessee. You can’t drive ATVs on snow-covered highways, TDOT says
Multiple agencies advising drivers to stay home Tuesday unless absolutely necessary.
Middle Tennesseans can track TDOT’s get updated road conditions and see live video feed of traffic conditions at smartway.tn.gov. For live videos feeds of Nashville roads and highways, visit smart.way.tn.gov.
Nashville Department of Transportation warns of clearing roads
The Nashville Department of Transportation said Tuesday that crews would continue to be out plowing and treating primary and secondary routes across the county. NDOT said they began with 10,000 tons of salt and still have plenty more on hand for the future.
They warned of black ice on roadways due to the extremely cold temperatures.
Cortnye Stone, NDOT director of communications, told the Tennessean many primary routes have at least one travel lane clear but they are slushing up despite the extreme cold temperatures, which has been one of the department’s biggest challenges.
NDOT is running crews in 12 hour shifts 24/7 until primary and secondary routes are cleared. The agency anticipates a hard refreeze Tuesday night and said conditions will deteriorate.
Winter driving safety tips
TDOT recommends the following tips for driving during hazardous conditions:
- Before venturing out onto snowy roadways, make sure you’ve cleared the snow off all of your vehicle’s windows and lights, including brake lights and turn signals.
- Slow down for wet, snowy or icy conditions, when visibility is poor, or when conditions are changing or unpredictable; no matter what type of vehicle you drive.
- Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots, these are all candidates for developing black ice.
- Avoid excessive actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
- Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and others. It takes more time and distance to stop your vehicle in adverse weather conditions, so use your brakes carefully.
- Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly, and never slam on the brakes.
- Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions.
- When driving on snow, accelerate gradually, merge slowly and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @_leyvadiana
Elaine Hadley is a dedicated journalist covering the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. news. With a keen interest in politics and a commitment to uncovering the truth, she provides insightful commentary and in-depth analysis on domestic issues. When not reporting, Elaine enjoys exploring the diverse cultures and landscapes of the United States.
