TDOT stops highway construction for holidays

Friday, December 14, 2012, Vol. 36, No. 50

NASHVILLE (AP) — TDOT is telling employees and contractors to knock off work for Christmas and New Year travel.

There will be no temporary lane closures from 6 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, through 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Tennessee Transportation Commissioner John Schroer said 2 million drivers are expected to be on Tennessee's roads over the holidays and TDOT wants to minimize delays for them.

There could be some long-term construction closures in place and drivers are cautioned to follow reduced speed limits in those instances.

AAA predicts holiday travel will increase nearly 2% in Tennessee this year over the same period last year.

For up-to-date travel information, motorists may call 511 from any land line or cellular phone or visit TN511.com. TDOT is also on Twitter. For statewide travel tweets follow twitter.com/TN511.