The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced Monday that Independence Day travelers would not be delayed by construction on Tennessee roads during this year’s holiday.
In a press release, TDOT announced that the department will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes to “provide maximum roadway capacity” for those traveling on and leading up to Independence Day.
Road construction won’t delay motorists traveling in Tennessee over the July 4th holiday! We’re suspending closures from midnight on Saturday, July 1 through 6:00 am on Wednesday, July 5 to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers. https://t.co/ysXichgtJt
— myTDOT (@myTDOT) June 26, 2023
All construction-related lane closures in the state will be stopped from midnight on Saturday, July 1 through 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, according to TDOT.
“With so many people traveling on and around the Fourth of July, we want to do all we can to ensure they reach their destinations safely and without necessary delays,” TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley said in a statement. “We are doing so by suspending lane closures during this busy holiday travel time.”
TDOT notes, however, motorists may still encounter lane closures or restrictions while traveling through long-term construction projects on state roadways despite the holiday construction halt. With this in mind, drivers are instructed to obey the posted speeds in work zones and drive safely.
The department adds that the fine for speeding in work zones with workers present is up to $500, on top of court fees and higher insurance rates, TDOT notes.
TDOT’s construction halt comes as the American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that a “record number” of more than one million Tennesseans will journey 50 miles or more during Memorial Day weekend, an increase of 42,000 people from last year’s holiday.
Friday, June 30 is expected to be the busiest day on the roads, AAA notes, adding that an estimated 50.7 million Americans are forecast to travel for the holiday weekend throughout the nation – nearly 2.1 million more travelers than last year’s holiday.
“Although airfares and hotel rates are more expensive than last year, Tennesseans are still eager to travel. So, expect to see congested roads, busy hotels, and long lines at airports and attractions,” Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group said in a statement.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Road Closed” by embinmt.
