Tag: Tennessee Department of Transportation

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Winter Storm: Here’s How Local Agencies Have Prepared

Credit: Tennessee Department of Transportation

We know winter (weather) is coming. 

So, how are local agencies preparing for this? Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW)? City of Memphis? Memphis International Airport (MEM)? Tennessee Department Of Transportation (TDOT)? 

Here’s an unfiltered look at what they’ve told us (with links to follow the latest from the agencies).

Memphis Light, Gas & Water: 

MLGW prepares for cold weather by tracking the weather, having additional crews on standby, and ensuring vehicles are equipped with necessary tools. Tree-trimming crews cleared more than 1,600 miles in 2024 to help reduce electric outages caused by falling limbs.

Credit: Memphis Light, Gas & Water

To combat water main breaks (which can occur when temperatures drop) MLGW has made several capital improvements like installing additional wells. It’s also been insulating water pump motors and conducting a system-wide water valve survey that will keep water flowing from pumping stations to the community.

To combat winter weather challenges, MLGW has implemented the following measures:

· Fleet maintenance: MLGW’s fleet vehicles receive monthly preventive maintenance, with extra attention to charging systems, tires, heaters, windshield wipers, and washer fluid in the winter months.

· De-icer supply: Garages are stocked with de-icer for locks, door handles, and windshields, ensuring crews can work efficiently in icy conditions.

· Cold weather diesel additive: To enhance vehicle performance, a cold weather diesel fuel additive is added to the tanks at MLGW fueling stations.

· Snowplows and brine spreaders: Six fleet vehicles are outfitted with snowplows and brine spreaders to clear access to MLGW facilities and community offices, ensuring essential operations can continue during winter storms.

City of Memphis: 

Credit: City of Memphis

The city of Memphis has a new strategic snow and ice mitigation plan. Under the plan that went into effect on January 1, 2025, Division of Public Works crews will focus on specific routes when wintry weather affects our area, clearing one lane in each direction. 

Previously, crews only treated inclines and declines,  overpasses, and bridges. Clearing one lane in each direction on targeted routes aligns with what is done in other cities in Tennessee and nationwide.

Instead of a salt/sand mix, crews will treat the streets with straight salt. Using salt only should more effectively melt snow and ice on our roads. Crews will still pretreat with brine when conditions allow.

Instead of a salt/sand mix, crews will treat the streets with straight salt. Using salt only should more effectively melt snow and ice on our roads. Crews will still pretreat with brine when conditions allow.

Check the map to see which routes the city of Memphis will treat. The map also highlights routes cleared by TDOT. This new, focused approach is expected to better serve residents and drivers during winter weather.

Memphis International Airport: 

Credit: Memphis International Airport

• When winter weather is forecast, MEM schedules crews based on the amount, duration and type of the expected precipitation. Snow and ice require different types of treatment.

• The goal is to prevent the buildup of ice and snow on runways and taxiways so that aircraft can continue to operate safely. Crews also work around the clock to clear ramps, service roads, terminal roadways, fuel farm loading areas, and more.

• MEM has more than 40 vehicles dedicated to snow/ice removal, including snow brooms, plow trucks, snow blowers, liquid and granular de-icing trucks, and tractors.

MEM has more than 40 vehicles dedicated to snow/ice removal, including snow brooms, plow trucks, snow blowers, liquid and granular de-icing trucks, and tractors.

• About 140 employees from airfield and building maintenance are available for snow operations, along with staff from operations, communications, airport police, procurement, and other areas. The vast majority of the [Memphis and Shelby County Airport Authority’s] 300 employees are involved in winter weather operations in some capacity.

• Airfield crews will work around the clock to clear runways.

• MEM’s centralized de-icing facility will be active for airlines to perform de-icing operations as needed.

Airlines:

• Passengers should contact their airline before traveling. Airlines manage all aspects of scheduling and will have the most up-to-date information. Early morning flights in particular could be affected.

• Even if MEM is open with flights arriving and departing, weather across the U.S. could disrupt airline schedules this week.

• Airlines are responsible for all aspects of ticketing, baggage, and gate operations.

• While MEM is responsible for clearing runways and taxiways, airlines handle all aspects of de-icing aircraft including staffing, application and equipment maintenance.

Other passenger information:

• Allow for extra time to get to the airport due to road conditions. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to scheduled departure. 

Flight Information

Airline Contact Info

Airlines at MEM

Tennessee Department of Transportation: 

Credit: Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Region 4 is prepared to tackle the ice and snow forecast for this week, ensuring the safety of drivers across the region’s 21 counties.

TDOT West Tennessee at the ready:

• Snow and ice budget: $5.2 million  

• 176 salt trucks

• 139 brine trucks

• 29,000 tons of salt

• 508,000 gallons of brine 

• 30 salt bins placed around the region

Maintenance crews are fully stocked with salt, brine, and other materials, to respond as winter weather moves into the area. Region 4’s [West Tennessee] snow and ice budget for this fiscal year is $5.2 million.

Drivers should expect to see crews in West Tennessee pre-treating the interstates and state routes region-wide for the upcoming impacts of winter weather. Crews will prioritize clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes first, followed by secondary routes. TDOT strongly encourages drivers to prepare to stay off the roads on Friday, January 10, 2025, for their own safety and the safety of workers, giving crews the room they need to do their jobs.

TDOT strongly encourages drivers to prepare to stay off the roads on Friday, January 10, 2025, for their own safety and the safety of workers, giving crews the room they need to do their jobs.

“Our crews have been working diligently to ensure our equipment is ready and materials are on hand to keep the roads clear and safe,” said Jason Baker, Region 4 director. “We encourage all drivers to also prepare for the conditions and adjust their driving habits to stay safe on the road.”

For more information on TDOT’s snow and ice preparations, winter safe driving tips, preparing your vehicle for winter travel and links to road conditions in Tennessee and neighboring states visit: Ice & Snow.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras. Travelers can also dial 511 for travel information, or follow TDOT on Twitter for statewide travel or in West Tennessee follow here.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

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Vote for Your Favorite Holiday Message on TDOT’s Road Signs

Credit: Tennessee Department of Transportation

Ever wonder who comes up with the stuff on those digital signs above Memphis interstates? For this holiday season, it’s you. 

Voting ends tomorrow evening in the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Make Travel Bright Safety Sign Contest. Take the survey here to vote for your favorite and see it in lights as you drive around this month. 

Here are the finalists: 

• All I want for Christmas is You. Drive Safe!

• Deck the halls. Not each other. Stop road rage.

• Did you have half a drink more? Please don’t drive.

• Don’t be a cotton headed ninny muggins. Drive sober

• FA LA LA LA LA Don’t drink and drive

• He sees you when you’re speeding…

• Leave getting lit to the Christmas lights. Don’t drink and drive.

• Get HO-HO-Home safely. Don’t drink and drive.

• Waiting to text is the ultimate flex. Put down your phone.

• Drinking and driving is on Santa’s naughty list.

Those signs are called Dynamic Message Signs. There are 217 of them spread across Tennessee’s biggest metros — Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. Some are in rural parts of the state, too. 

The slogans are called “holiday travel safety messages.” The contest for slogans began at the beginning of the month with open nominations. They were to focus on safe driving topics like speeding, seat belts, impaired driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving. 

Credit: Tennessee Department of Transportation

The winning entries could not have hashtags, phone numbers, website addresses, or emojis. Lewd or profane messages were not allowed. The signs can accommodate three lines of text with up to 21 characters (including spaces).

“This contest is a fun way to engage citizens and assist TDOT in accomplishing our goal of saving lives by getting the attention of drivers and reminding them to practice safe driving habits,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “We encourage motorists to check the message boards daily for important travel information. This holiday season we want everyone to reach their destination safely.”

After voting concludes on Friday at 5 p.m., the messages will begin appearing on the state’s digital signs.  

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US Department of Transportation Allocates Millions to Memphis Intersection Improvement

Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich on Unsplash

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)has allocated $13.1 million for improvements to one of the most dangerous intersections in the city of Memphis.

Last week the department announced its fiscal year 2024 (FY24) Safe Streets and Roads for All grants, which totaled $172 million, nationwide. Congressman Steve Cohen (D-Memphis), senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that the city would be using its funding to redesign the intersection at Lamar Avenue, Kimball Avenue and Pendleton Street.

“This complex intersection at Lamar Avenue, Kimball Avenue, and Pendleton Street has a confusing array of signals, fading and disjointed pedestrian connectivity, and little guidance on appropriate movements,” USDOT officials said.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said this corridor faces “crippling congestion” affecting freight facilities, warehouse and distribution centers, as well. The agency applied for funding for Lamar Avenue in 2018 through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program, receiving $71.1 million for improvements.

According to USDOT, the city plans to close one of the roads at the intersection to provide a simpler design in hopes of improving safety. Other enhancements will include a public education campaign, a pilot program for a camera magnification system, and crash data analysis technology.

Another allocation was made to the MidSouth Development District for $2, 419, 870 from the FY 2024 Planning and Demonstration Grant Award to further address traffic-related injuries.through a “Comprehensive Safety action Plan.” 

USDOT officials said the grant will use data analysis, stakeholder input, and best practices to implement a plan to reduce “roadway fatalities” across the region.

“The demonstration activities will include a Safe Routes to School demonstration and EMT post-crash care training,” USDOT added.

Cohen said he was pleased to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which has lead to the funding for these improvements.

“ I am sure that having this new investment in comprehensive safety planning will help save lives,” Cohen said in a statement.

Memphis was ranked the most dangerous metro city for pedestrians earlier this year by the nonprofit organization Smart Growth America. Their data showed that more than half of pedestrian deaths (65 percent) over the last decade happened in the last five years.

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Public Invited to Weigh In on Proposed $787M Bridge over Mississippi

Tennessee Department of Transportation

Memphis residents are invited Thursday to hear about the $787.5 million bridge proposed to replace the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge, also called the I-55 Bridge or “old bridge.” 

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will host the session scheduled for Thursday from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Central Station Hotel’s Amtrak Station. Another public meeting will come next week in West Memphis at the Eugene Woods Civic Center Center on April 25th, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

Tennessee Department of Transportation
Tennessee Department of Transportation

As those talks begin, work continues on the current I-55 Bridge and its interchange. For more than a year, crews have replaced the old cloverleaf interchange and replaced much of the bridge’s worn-out decking. 

That work began back in 2009 with public hearings at Central Station, before its conversion into a hotel and when it was still owned and operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA). Hearings and approvals continued until the project was sent of for bids in 2022. That project is slated for completion early next year.

The new bridge, which TDOT is calling, “America’s River Crossing,” would completely replace the old bridge, which would be demolished. Construction on the new 1.5 mile span over the Mississippi River could begin as soon as 2026 and be complete as early as 2030, according to state documents. 

“America’s River Crossing” was the name given to the idea of a new, third bridge over the river pushed by the Greater Memphis Chamber in 2021. At the time, the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge was the only bridge across the river in Memphis. The newer Hernando DeSoto Bridge was closed at the time after officials discovered a crack in the structure. 

Even though the new bridge project would still leave Memphis with only two bridges (St. Louis has 10), the Chamber appears to be on board the new project, retweeting information to Thursday’s public meeting.  

The old bridge needs replacing, officials say, because its condition and recent appraisals have “raised concerns.” The bridge is 75 years old. It does not meet current seismic standards, which could put drivers in dangers should an earthquake occur. Retrofitting the bridge could cost between $250 million to $500 million, according to a state report. 

Also, the old bridge is small. It has two, 10-foot travel lanes in each direction separated by a concrete divider, with two-foot shoulders on each side of the roadway.

”The existing I-55 bridge was not designed to handle the current or future volume of daily traffic, or truck volume, resulting in significant mobility and safety concerns,” reads the report, noting traffic counts there could be as high as 58,000 daily in 2030. “With traffic forecasts indicating substantial growth, the need for a new bridge becomes apparent, demanding increased capacity and improved traffic operations.”

The new bridge would add a new lane in each direction, for a total of six lanes, and have 12-foot shoulders on both sides of the roadway. 

The new version would increase capacity, making for smoother, safer flow of traffic and freight. For these and other reasons, the financial benefit of a new bridge could be as high as $529 million, the state said.

The old bridge has higher-than-normal rates of crashes and bottlenecks, too. The state report found the bridge crash rate was 86 percent higher than the statewide average. The bridge also  ranks in the top 10 percent of bottleneck headed south and 12 percent of bottlenecks northbound. Both are attributed to congestion. 

Tennessee Department of Transportation

A new bridge could cost up to $787.5 million. To pay for it, TDOT has request $393.7 million from the Federal Highway Adminstration. The other half would be split between TDOT and the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Tennessee’s portion would flow from dedicated funds in the Transportation Modernization Act, which included $3.3 billion for public projects. 

Find a fact sheet here. 

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Whatever Happened To: the I-55/Crump Blvd. Interchange

The interchange has been called the worst in Tennessee. (Credit: Brandon Dill)

Whatever happened to the project to fix the interchange at Crump Ave. and I-55? 

It’s back after seven years of quiet. Construction could start soon and last up to four-and-a-half years. It could close Riverside Drive southbound completely and Crump Blvd. at Third. It could close the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge (the Old Bridge) for two weeks. It could cost up to $184.9 million.

The Flyer last wrote about this project in 2015 when state officials decided to pause their plan for the interchange project. The move came amidst a rising chorus of concerns from many that the project would close the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge for nine months, beginning in 2017.

Officials knew the project needed to be done. Then-Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer called it “the worst interchange we have in the state of Tennessee.” Then-Memphis Mayor A C Wharton called it “malfunction junction.” But officials wanted it done right and hit pause.

“Over the past several weeks, we have heard from residents, business owners, elected officials, and other stakeholders in Memphis and in Arkansas, and we understand there is a significant level of concern over a full closure of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge,” Schroer said in a statement at the time. “We want to take the opportunity to address those concerns before moving forward with construction.” 

However, TDOT continued to work on the project. Meetings to find contractors for the project began in early March this year. Bids were open on the massive project after that and closed on March 25th. 

(Credit: TDOT)

The three lowest bids on the project were from Dement Construction Co. ($184.9 million), Superior Construction Co. ($157.9 million), and Bell & Associates Construction ($141.2 million).

(Credit: TDOT/the project design from 2015)
(Credit: TDOT/ The project design from 2022)

The new plan for the interchange seems similar to the prevailing design proposed in 2015. It would replace the current cloverleaf design at Crump and I-55 with a roundabout for local traffic and a long, elevated, sweeping, flyover curve to keep I-55 traffic flowing without slowing to (or below) the current posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour.

(Credit: TDOT)

The cloverleaf design was built in the mid-1960s. It was meant to handle 28,500 vehicles daily, with 8 percent truck traffic, according to the Federal Highway Adminstration [FHWA]. In 2015, traffic averaged 60,330 vehicles daily with 26 percent trucks. By 2035, the interchange will see 84,500 vehicles per day, according to FHWA projections.

(Credit: Brandon Dill)

No firm date for construction to begin on the project is set. However, bidding documents show construction companies must complete the project within a maximum of four-and-a-half years and a minimum of two-and-a-half years. 

(Credit: TDOT)

The new plan would remove the entire south portion of the existing I-55 bridge over Metal Museum Drive and build a new one. Doing this would call for a two-week shutdown of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge, according to bid documents. The construction sequence shows the project completed over six stages. The bridge closure would come at stage 4c and reopen at the beginning of stage five. 

(Credit; Brandon Dill)

Once construction is underway, a series of alternate routes from interstates I-55, I-40, and I-240 will be implemented for traffic driving around the city. For example, those on I-55 northbound will be routed to use I-240 northbound. 

(Credit: TDOT)

The project will also involve a number of local street detours. The major detour will come as the plan calls for southbound lanes of Riverside Drive to be closed in stage two of construction and would not open until the project is complete. For this, one detour calls for Riverside traffic to be diverted to E. Carolina, to Florida, and to South Parkway. 

Crump would also be closed at Florida. For this, the state plan would reroute much of the street’s traffic to South Parkway and Third streets.    

(Credit: TDOT)

The project comes with a set of restrictions for builders. Temporary lanes closures will only be allowed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and only eight of them can happen on weekends. Noise walls must be built at the beginning of the project and pile drivers cannot be used until they are. 

More details on the project are expected from TDOT officials later this week.  

Whatever Happened To is an occasional series that explores projects and plans that were big news when they were announced but have seemingly gone quiet. 

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Project Launched to Clean Up Polluted Tennessee River

Source: State of Tennessee

For cleaning up the polluted Tennessee River watershed, the future is now — with a new network of cutting-edge devices to remove litter, debris, oils, and more. 

Last week, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTRB), and others launched a network of electric Seabin skimmer devices to clean the water. The project will launch 18 of the skimmers, making it the largest network of such devices in the world. The project was funded with grants from TDOT and Keep America Beautiful. 

“Until now, all of our work has only been able to prevent microplastics in our waterways, so we are thrilled to be making an effort to actually mitigate microplastics out of the water,” said Kathleen Gibi, KTRB executive director. “We’re grateful to TDOT and Keep America Beautiful for these — as I see it — revolutionary grants and to our partners who will be maintaining the Seabins to make this trailblazing project possible.”

The Tennessee River starts in Knoxville, flows south through Chattanooga, dips into Alabama, back up through West Tennessee, and into Kentucky. The clean-up network stretches across the watershed with devices located in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama. 

Source: Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful

Here’s how KTRB described the skimmers: “The Seabin device, a product out of Australia, works 24/7 to collect marine debris from the surface of the water, much like a pool skimmer that’s electrically operated. 

“Each device can remove up to 3,000 [pounds] of marine debris a year, meaning that the 18 devices installed along the Tennessee River watershed will have the potential of removing up to 54,000 [pounds] a year. Even more than that, the devices will also filter out gasoline, oils, and microplastics from the water.”

In 2017, researchers called the Tennessee River “one of the most plastic-polluted rivers ever recorded in the world.” That year, scientist and endurance swimmer Dr. Andreas Fath swam the nearly 652-mile length of the river with sampling devices connected to his body. His results showed the Tennessee contained 16,000 cubic feet of micro plastics per cubic meter of water, nearly twice as much as China’s polluted Yangtze River, and 8,000 percent higher than levels found in the Rhine River.      

Microplastics include plastic bottles, shopping bags, styrofoam, straws, and more. Some of these items remain intact. Others disintegrate into smaller particles that remain in the water, threatening fish and drinking water. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said nearly 70 percent of the trash found in rivers comes from inland sources, like litter left on streets that flows into storm drains, which flow into rivers. This is why TDOT said it got involved in the new Seabin clean-up system. 

“TDOT’s partnership with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful demonstrates the link between roadside litter and debris that ends up in our waterways,” said TDOT Commissioner Joseph Galbato. “Investing in this substantial network of litter removal devices is another example of how TDOT promotes innovative solutions to making our state cleaner and keeping our waterways clear.”

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Hernando De Soto Bridge To Reopen Next Week

Credit: TDOT

The Hernando De Soto Bridge will partially reopen next week, officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced Wednesday. 

Eastbound lanes of the bridge will open Monday at 6 a.m. Westbound lanes will open Friday at a time not yet determined. This schedule could change with any complications that arise. TDOT will update the plan on Friday.

TDOT said contractors will have completed all the phase three plating by Friday. They will begin to demobilize, break down platforms, remove equipment, and barriers starting with the eastbound direction. Doing this one side at a time is safest for workers.

 However, the bridge will remain an active work zone, TDOT said, and they ask drivers motorists to pay attention to all signs on the bridge. 

…our team made the repairs and performed extensive inspections to ensure it’s structurally sound for many years to come.

TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright

TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said when TDOT closed the bridge in May, “we did not know then what all would be involved” but the team “worked tirelessly to safely reopen the bridge as soon as possible.”

“We know having the bridge closed has been incredibly inconvenient,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright. “We appreciate the public’s patience while our team made the repairs and performed extensive inspections to ensure it’s structurally sound for many years to come.”

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TDOT Animation Shows Bridge Repair Steps

Credit: Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Tennessee Department of Transportation shared a short video Monday showing exactly how the Hernando DeSoto Bridge will be repaired.

Officials have still not given a firm timeline for completion of the repairs but said the work could last through July.

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Partnership Formed to Combat PPE Waste

The Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, and Keep Tennessee Beautiful announced a three-way partnership on Tuesday, August 18th. The partnership aims to reduce personal protective equipment litter and educate the public on proper PPE and single-use mask disposal.

“This partnership is a response to a rise in PPE litter, which TDOT has begun to notice on rights-of-way, and how we, as state agencies, can work together to share one impactful message,” TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said.

TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright

Through the partnership, the groups will release a series of posts highlighting proper PPE disposal. Posts and additional messaging will be shared electronically by all three entities and made available through KTnB and their statewide network of affiliates. Proper PPE disposal has also been worked into TDOT’s “Nobody Trashes Tennessee” litter prevention campaign.

All social media posts will center around three main points:

  • Single-use masks, gloves, and wipes should not be placed into any recycling containers or disposed of on the ground. Improper disposal creates health and environmental hazards.
  • All PPE should be properly disposed of in a trash receptacle.
  • Wearing a reusable or cloth mask instead of single-use masks can reduce the amount of PPE waste going to landfills and help fight the spread of COVID-19.

“In these unusual times, unusual problems arise, and the litter of personal protective equipment is an example,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “We encourage all Tennesseans to be mindful of this issue and maintain their commitment to the beauty of our state. We are grateful to TDOT and Keep Tennessee Beautiful for their partnership in this effort.”

TDOT spends $15 million annually on litter pickup and prevention education. Through its efforts, the amount of roadside litter has decreased by 43 percent since 2006. Despite this, nearly 100 million pieces of litter occur on Tennessee roadsides at any given time.

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Lee Firms Up Previous Order, Makes ‘Stay-at-Home’ Mandatory

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced Thursday he would sign Executive Order 23 requiring that Tennesseans “not carrying out essential activities” must stay at home as data shows an increase in citizen movement across the state.

Until now, the Governor had resisted mounting pressure to issue such an order, having previously contented himself with “urging” Tennesseans to stay close to home.

In his statement Thursday, Lee said, “Over the last few weeks, we have seen decreases in movement around the state as Tennesseans socially distance and stay at home. However, in recent days we have seen data indicating that movement may be increasing and we must get these numbers trending back down. I have updated my previous executive order to clearly require that Tennesseans stay at home unless they are carrying out essential activities.”

The press release containing the new order cited data from the Tennessee Department of Transportation regarding traffic patterns for March 2020. “While safer at home measures and further restrictions on businesses showed a steep drop-off in vehicle movement from March 13-29, data beginning on March 30 indicates travel is trending upwards, again.”

Analysis of cell phone mobility and other “movement trends” in the population, “trending toward pre-COVID-19 levels,” figured into his reasoning, Lee said.

The new executive order will remain in effect until April 14, 2020 at midnight.