Nashville, TN – As winter weather approaches Nashville, the city’s Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) is preparing for potentially hazardous conditions, including light ice accumulations on roadways. With brine already spread across bridges, overpasses, and major roads, and crews on standby through the weekend, officials are confident in their ability to keep roads safe during the storm.
“We’ve got 19 brand new trucks, so we’re probably in better shape as far as equipment and drivers than we’ve been in a long time,” said NDOT Assistant Director Phillip Jones. According to Jones, the department has 40 snow plow trucks ready to go, ensuring an efficient response to any snow or ice that may accumulate on Nashville’s roads. In addition, all brine storage tanks and salt bins are fully stocked, and crews are on high alert for any developing weather conditions.
In the early hours of the storm, NDOT will deploy spotters to monitor the conditions on the north and west sides of Davidson County. Spotters will begin their shift around 3 a.m. and will keep a close eye on road conditions as drivers remain on standby, ready to respond as needed.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for light ice accumulations, particularly along and north of Interstate 40, as well as the Cumberland Plateau. Meteorologist Mark Rose stressed the dangers posed by freezing rain, which, he explained, can cause significant disruptions with only a thin layer of ice. “The thing with freezing rain is it only takes a very thin layer of ice to cause problems, slick sidewalks, and roadways,” Rose said. “Out of all the winter weather precipitation types, this is the one that creates the most havoc because it doesn’t take very much freezing rain to cause significant impacts on roadways.”
With these risks in mind, officials are urging drivers to exercise caution. If encountering NDOT crews on the road, the public is advised to give them plenty of space as they work to clear and treat roadways.
As the city braces for the storm, officials are hopeful that their proactive measures will help minimize disruptions. NDOT’s focus remains on ensuring the safety of Nashville residents, even as winter weather brings its usual challenges.