Posted in Car Accident,Distracted Driving,Tennessee Accident Law,Uncategorized on October 30, 2015
I-40 Weekend Closures Scheduled As Fast Fix 8 Project Nears Completion
The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Fast Fix 8 project will be around 90 percent complete after this weekend’s scheduled repairs are completed.
According to wkrn.com, the road work will begin on Interstate 40 at 8 p.m. Friday evening and last through 6 a.m. Monday morning. This weekend’s work will take place on Charlotte Avenue as road crews work to remove and replace the I-40 eastbound bridge over that road.
Closures will affect the I-40/I-65 split west of downtown as well as the I-40/I-65 split south of downtown. Most of Charlotte Avenue near downtown will also be closed, including the stretch the spans from 11th Avenue to 16th Avenue. The closures will also affect on- and off-ramp access at Demonbreun Street, Broadway, Church Street, and Charlotte Avenue. Detours will be in place to reroute traffic away from these areas throughout the weekend.
This is the eighth weekend of closures for interstates in Nashville as part of the Fast Fix 8 project. A spokesperson with TDOT says that the department anticipates at least two additional weekend road closures in November as the project is wrapped up and final repairs are completed.
How Can You Stay Safe and Avoid Traffic Delays Due to Road Closures?
Road closures can be an inconvenience, especially if they affect a highway or interstate that you use as part of your daily commute. And in some cases, road closures can even be dangerous—especially when they aren’t clearly marked or barricaded. But with some planning and careful, you can not only avoid the potential dangers of a road closure, but also reduce any delays that you might experience.
TDOT’s website includes a smartmap that shows areas where construction is currently taking place, allowing you to plan an alternate route away from areas with possible congestion and traffic delays. In addition, the website’s news and events feed also keeps motorists and Tennessee residents up to date on construction and repair projects that can affect local traffic on highways and interstates.
If you have a smartphone that’s equipped with a GPS, you can use it to navigate away from planned construction or road closures. It’s best to do this before you leave home, as you should never use a smartphone while driving. If you have to make changes in your route, always pull your vehicle over to the side of the road or allow a passenger to make the changes instead.
Not all road closures are adequately marked or barricaded from traffic. That’s why it’s important that you stay alert at all times, especially when driving at night, in order to avoid inadvertently driving into a stretch of road that’s closed for repairs or improvements. If you notice that you entered a closed roadway, immediately stop your vehicle and turn around.
Tennessee road crews are constantly repairing and improving roadways throughout the state in order to better serve residents and tourists alike, so it’s important to be patient—even if their work causes you to experience delays. But it’s equally important to be prepared before you leave your house in the morning, both for potential traffic backups as well as locations you should avoid due to planned road closures. By following the tips above, you can reach your destination safely and on time.
If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent or careless driver, regardless of the road conditions at the time of the accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and more. To find out how our law firm can help, contact us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or completing a free initial consultation form.
