Posted in Car Accident,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on October 1, 2015
Stretch of I-40 Scheduled for Closure This Weekend for Fast Fix 8 Project
A stretch of Interstate 40 along its south loop will be closed near downtown Nashville this weekend as the Tennessee Department of Transportation works to complete the repairs needed in its Fast Fix 8 Project.
A report by wsmv.com says the plan is to replace eight bridges on a stretch of I-40 that spans two miles between the I-65 split on the west side of the downtown area and the I-65 split on the south side of downtown.
Starting tomorrow, road crews will begin working on replacing the eastbound bridge of the interstate that passes over Clinton Street. Because of the construction work that’s taking place on I-40, road crews will also close Clinton Street between 11th Avenue and 16th Avenue from 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct 5.
As with other weekends with Fast Fix 8 work taking place, the closures will affect on and off-ramp access in the downtown area of Nashville, with drivers being unable to enter or exit the interstate at Demonbreun, Broadway, Church Street, or Charlotte Avenue.
Tips for Driving Near Interstate Closures
If you live in or near Nashville, you’ve undoubtedly experienced road closures many times in the past. Road crews are constantly working to repair worn out and damage roads and bridges, and those repairs mean temporary road closures that can cause significant delays. To minimize the effect that a road closure can have on your commute, check out the tips below:
If you’re aware of a road closure, plan your route before you leave home. In many cases, taking a completely alternate route that avoids both the closed road and nearby roads can save you a significant amount of time. In many cases, attempting to merge into alternate lanes or routes to bypass road work can cause major delays, especially during rush hour traffic.
Stretches of interstates and highways where road work is taking place aren’t always completely blocked off from oncoming traffic. In fact, many road crews use only a single sign or traffic cones to indicate that a road is closed. It’s important to watch out for these signs when you’re behind the wheel, as driving into a closed section of a highway or interstate can be extremely dangerous for you and your passengers.
Road closures are indicated to drivers as they approach the area where road construction is occurring, and detours or alternate routes are often available. Sometimes, those alternate routes may pass near where the road work is occurring. If that’s the case, reduce your speed and drive carefully. Construction zones have significantly reduced speed limits and increased fines for violating those limits, as oncoming traffic can pose serious risks for workers.
Road and lane closures aren’t something any driver wants to deal with—especially when they’re in a hurry and trying to get to work or get their children to school on time in the morning. However, road closures are generally beneficial for drivers, as they either allow workers to fix potentially dangerous problems in a road or keep drivers away from areas that are considered unstable or likely to cause accidents.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville car accident attorneys appreciate the efforts of TDOT and local city governments when it comes to making roads safer for residents throughout Middle Tennessee. But we also know that no road improvements can completely eliminate or prevent accidents.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident caused by an negligent driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and more. To find out how our legal team can help, just dial (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form. We have 20 years of experience fighting for the rights of injured victims, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for your family today.
