NASHVILLE (WATE) - The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced Tuesday it will halt all road construction and lane closures between Christmas and New Year's while holiday traffic is at its peak.
No temporary lane closures will be
allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at 6:00 a.m. on
Saturday, December 22, 2012 through 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2013.
"Two million
drivers are expected to travel Tennessee roadways during the Christmas and New
Year's holidays, and we want to do everything possible to minimize delays," said
TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. "We also want everyone to arrive at their
destinations safely – so buckle up, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, and
always designate a sober driver."
Except for a
few long-term closures which must remain in place for safety, all construction
related closures will be suspended during the holiday period.
Workers may still
be on site in some construction zones.
AAA predicts
holiday travel will increase nearly two percent in Tennessee this year, with 2 million
expected to travel by automobile in the volunteer state between the Christmas
and New Year's holidays.
Across the U.S., 84.4 million people are expected to
drive to their year-end holiday destinations, each logging an estimated
760 miles round trip.
