TDOT Halts Lane Closures on Tennessee Highways for Labor Day Weekend
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 | 04:17am
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways for the busy Labor Day holiday travel period. Construction crews will stop all lane closure activity beginning at noon on Friday, September 2 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists traveling during the busy Labor Day holiday.
“The Labor Day holiday marks the unofficial end of summer and is one of the busiest travel periods of the year,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “We want to ensure that the thousands of travelers using Tennessee’s roadways during this period arrive at their destinations quickly and safely without being impeded by road construction delays.”
“The Labor Day holiday marks the unofficial end of summer and is one of the busiest travel periods of the year,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “We want to ensure that the thousands of travelers using Tennessee’s roadways during this period arrive at their destinations quickly and safely without being impeded by road construction delays.”
While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers will still be on site in many construction zones, and drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250 to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.
“Drivers can expect to see an increased number of law enforcement personnel on the roads this Labor Day weekend,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole. “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 or are impaired in any way.”
“Drivers can expect to see an increased number of law enforcement personnel on the roads this Labor Day weekend,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole. “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 or are impaired in any way.”
Nationwide travel is expected to remain relatively unchanged from last year. The summer travel season is expected to close with an estimated 31.5 million travelers taking a trip of 50 miles or more away from home. AAA Auto Club South projects that more than 541,000 Tennesseans will travel by car this Labor Day holiday, a slight decrease in travel through the state compared to last year’s numbers.
For up-to-date travel information, motorists can call 5-1-1 from any land line or cell phone or visit www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway. Smart phone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, incident information and messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs. Travelers can also get instant traffic alerts by following TDOT on Twitter. For a list of available Twitter feeds visit www.tn.gov/tdot/mediaroom/info.htm.
Motorists are reminded that texting while driving is against the law in Tennessee, so please use these motorist information tools responsibly.
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For more information:
B.J. Doughty
TDOT Public Information Manager
Office 615.350.4302
Mobile 615.714.8556