Tennessee Drivers: On Your Marks, Get Ready, STOP

Well, it’s that time of year. Trees get their leaves back, flowers bloom, and you waking in the morning to the gentle humming of a ninety-pound jackhammer. Yup, folks, it’s road construction time again.

Major upcoming or continuing road projects for the Nashville area include:

• Installation of traffic cameras and overhead dynamic message boards along I-440, I-65, I-24, and I-40. Look out for repairs to concrete along I-440 over the coming weeks.

• Resurfacing at night on I-65 and parts of I-40, I-24, and I-440 along the downtown loop. Driving north, watch out for resurfacing on I-65 between Honey Run Creek and Mile Marker 121 at night. Driving south, on I-65, watch out from Moore’s Lane to the Davidson County line.

• Lebanon Road Bridge Construction (new bridge over the Stones River on Lebanon Road).

• South of Nashville: Look out for construction widening I-24 from SR 96 to SR 10 (US 231). Construction on I-65 of a new interchange on I-65 at McEwen Drive.

(information courtesy of the TN Department of Transportation)

With only 23 automible accident injuries and no fatalities in Shelby County last month (March) and with about three-quarters of our state now wearing its seatbelt (up 16% since 2000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2007 report), we’re doing something right on the road.

Let’s keep eye on the road, our hands at ten and two, belts buckled, and feet near the brake as we pass through these construction zones. Look out for our workers’ safety and your pocketbook: speeding violations in construction areas will cost you an additional $250-$500.