No lane closures on Tennessee highways for Labor Day weekend

Sept. 3– 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.

More than 600,000 Tennesseans are expected to travel by car this holiday.

Construction crews will stop all lane closure activity beginning at noon today through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

"As thousands of people hit the road in Tennessee, we want to ensure they get to their destinations quickly and safely without road construction delays," said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.

While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers will still be on site in many construction zones.

For instance, in Memphis workers will spend the weekend on the I-40-Hernando DeSoto Bridge seismic retrofit project preparing for a major new phase of work. Crews will reduce the bridge to one lane in each direction near exit 1 immediately following rush hour Tuesday morning.

The I-40 bridge will be reduced to one lane east and westbound from Tuesday at 9 a.m. until mid-November.

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.

"During this Labor Day weekend, travelers will notice an increased number of law enforcement personnel on Tennessee’s roadways," said Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole.

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.

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.