TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Transportation crews will once again close a short section of Interstate 440 in Nashville this weekend as a major concrete rehabilitation project continues.  This weekend’s closure is one of several planned for the coming months.  Contract crews will close I-440 Westbound from the Interstate 24 junction to the Interstate 65 junction at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2009. I-440 will reopen no later than 6:00 a.m. Monday, November 9.

 

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation and Tennessee Highway Patrol are working together to keep motorists informed about the closure of Interstate 40 near the North Carolina state line. In Tennessee, I-40 is closed in both directions at mile marker 451 (Waterville) due to a massive rock slide that buried the interstate at mile marker 2.6 in North Carolina just after 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2009. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has made an emergency declaration and is working aggressively to remove the rock from the roadway however it will be several months before the interstate is reopened. As a result, motorists are being detoured to I-81 and I-26.

 

NASHVILLE—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that federal and state aeronautics grants totaling $3.4 million have been approved for nine Tennessee airports.

 

“Our local airports are vital to the economy and travel system of Tennessee,” said Bredesen. “Investing in our airports helps keep them competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of businesses and travelers.”

 

 

NASHVILLE – In 2008, 125 families buried a teenager following a crash on a Tennessee roadway. October 18-24 is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Governor’s Highway Safety Office is working to save the lives of teens by asking Tennesseans to step up and talk to teens about important issues like wearing a safety belt, avoiding distracted driving and discouraging underage drinking. 

 

NASHVILLE – Three Tennessee roadways are now nationally recognized as National Scenic Byways. The Federal Highway Administration designated the Great River Road Tennessee, the East Tennessee Crossing, and Woodlands Trace in Tennessee as National Scenic Byways during an official ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Friday, October 16.  The three byways have been added to the collection of 151 distinctive and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today awarded more than $17.8 million in highway safety grants to 244 agencies across Tennessee.

 

The Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO) mission is to save lives and reduce injuries on Tennessee roadways through leadership, innovation, coordination, and program support in partnership with other public and private organizations. The grants awarded will be used to promote this mission.

 

 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today proclaimed October 11-17 as “Show Your Pride - Adopt-A-Highway” week in Tennessee to recognize the hundreds of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers who work each year to keep litter off state roadways. The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program turns 20 on October 11. Originally established on October 11, 1989, volunteers with the program have logged thousands of hours working to keep Tennessee litter free.

 

“The volunteers of the Adopt-A-Highway Program are essential partners in protecting and preserving the natural beauty of Tennessee and deserve our thanks and recognition for their commitment and sense of community,” said Governor Bredesen. “I hope that in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the program, even more Tennesseans will volunteer and take an active role in keeping our state beautiful.”

 

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Transportation officials joined state and local leaders today to announce an enhancement grant of$884,742 to the city of Dyersburg for Phase II of the Dyersburg Downtown and Dyer County Courthouse Square enhancement project.

 

 

NASHVILLE—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that aeronautics grants in the amount of $855,000 have been approved for the McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville.

 

“Our local airports are vital to the economy and travel system of Tennessee,” said Bredesen. “Investing in our airports helps keep them competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of businesses and travelers. I’m pleased to support continued improvement at McGhee Tyson Airport.”

 

NASHVILLE—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that an aeronautics grant in the amount of $630,000 has been approved for Nashville International Airport.

“Our local airports are vital to the economy and travel system of Tennessee,” said Bredesen. “Investing in our airports helps keep them competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of businesses and travelers. I’m pleased to support continued improvement at Nashville International Airport.”