NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is preparing for a significant snowstorm expected to impact parts of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky on Wednesday. Crews have been working around the clock to ensure roadways are treated and cleared in anticipation of the heavy snowfall.
In Region 3, which includes West Nashville, TDOT is responsible for maintaining approximately 11,000 miles of roads. Crews began their preparations on Tuesday morning by brining roadways and spent the rest of the day salting the streets to prevent any refreeze once the snow starts to accumulate.
“We are prepared for it, and again, we had a good test run back in January,” said Erin Zeigler, TDOT’s Communication Officer for Region 3. “We feel confident in our plan. Our priority is to clear the roads as quickly as possible to avoid dangerous refreezing conditions.”
Region 3 boasts nearly 300 trucks and an impressive stockpile of more than 67,000 tons of salt to keep the roads clear throughout the storm. However, the timing of this snow event, occurring mid-week, presents its own challenges. With more people on the roads compared to a weekend snowstorm, TDOT urges residents to stay home when possible to allow crews the space they need to work efficiently.
“This storm is hitting in the middle of the week, and we’re hoping people can stay off the roads if they can,” Zeigler explained. “We need to clear the roads before the temperatures drop too much and the snow turns into ice.”
TDOT crews will continue working through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, focusing on major roadways. The department’s goal is to have all interstates and state routes cleared by noon on Wednesday.
“We aim to have the interstates and state routes cleared by noon,” Zeigler stated. “We’ll be working quickly to ensure those roads are safe for drivers.”
To further assist with clearing the roads, TDOT will deploy Help Trucks, typically seen only in the immediate Metro Nashville area, to cover a larger region. These trucks, which are equipped to treat and clear roads in rural areas, will be an essential part of the operation during this winter weather event.
“Help Trucks will be deployed on a larger scale to cover rural areas, just like we did during the January snowstorm,” Zeigler noted.
The main message from TDOT to the public remains clear: if possible, avoid driving on Wednesday morning to help ensure roads are cleared quickly and safely.
