West Tennessee drivers, ready your patience: the Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced a slate of construction projects that will impact commutes across 21 counties from July 17 to July 24, and it's gonna be a doozy—expect a mix of DAYTIME and NIGHTTIME lane closures, depending on the repair or installation needs at multiple locations dotting the region. In Carroll County, the SR-22 is undergoing a resurfacing spell from the Henderson County Line to Weatherford Rd., a necessary evil that's bringing temporary lane closures; down in Dyer County, they're working on the bridge over North Fork Forked Deer River, which means US 412 (SR-20) is down to one lane each way, with a 12-foot lane restriction and a shrunken shoulder space that insists on a 55 MPH slow roll, according to TDOT.
Further north, Future I-69 has officially unfurled its ribbons as SR 690 opens up to motorists although it's a bit of a slog with reduced 45 mph speed limits for those dipping southbound into US51; crews are still milling about working on those closed ramps to wrap up construction. As if that weren't enough SR-445 from Gibson County Line to Losson Puckett Road is under the knife for "miscellaneous safety improvements", and yes that means temporary lane closures with some resurfacing action sprinkled in, which is essential, but let's be honest, quite the headache for daily road warriors.
And don’t think Haywood County is getting off lightly—the I-40 is a nocturnal beast with resurfacing work going down nightly from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. all week long. Take it between mile markers 60 and 67 and you're looking at lane closures that will likely toss a wrench into evening plans or early bird schedules; the consolation is knowing the work will extend into the next week, offering a predictable pattern of closures, after a brief reprieve, we start the dance anew, "Wednesday, July 24 through Wednesday, July 31, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.", at least one lane will keep breathing, as reported by TDOT.
It's a lot, no doubt, but let's focus on the silver lining: once the dust settles, and the cones are cleared, West Tennessee's roads will be smoother, sturdier, and hopefully a touch safer for all who traverse this patchwork of asphalt that keeps our daily lives in motion, until then, plan routes carefully: SR-179's getting the Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) treatment from US70 (SR1) to SR76, and SR-222's got inside lane closures that require navigation around a fire station entrance. Strap in for a bumpy ride, the transformation's temporarily rough, but ultimately it's for the betterment of our daily commutes.
