Post Nashville Tornado: How To Help

As officials in Nashville assess the damage and relief workers help people find their loved ones, Tennesseans across the middle part of the state are now left with the difficult task of rebuilding from the rubble. There are numerous ways you can help in this effort, either by giving money, donating items, or volunteering your time. Here are a few choices:

  • United Way: The local chapter has launched a relief fund for middle Tennessee. Text RELIEF2020 to 41444 or donate online.
  • Community Foundation: This group has activated the “Middle Tennessee Emergency Relief Fund.” Find it here.
  • Donate Items: If you’re in the area and want to donate items (no clothing), the Nashville Emergency Operations Center has a way to do that. Find it here.
  • Volunteer in Nashville: Potential volunteers can sign up with Hands On Nashville here.
  • Volunteer in Mt. Juliet: Potential volunteers can sign up at the local police portal here.
  • American Red Cross: The local chapter of this organization is on hand to assess needs and provide relief. It’s always looking for help. Find it here.
  • GoFundMe: The crowdfunding site has a dedicated page for all verified campaigns related to the Tennessee tornado disaster. Find it here.
READ MORE

Don’t Get Caught In An Unexpected Detour!

Lots of weekday road closures happening this week. Know before you go!

2100 Riverside Drive

Beginning Monday, March 2nd through Friday, March 13th, the 2100 block of Riverside Drive will be closed between the hours of 8:00AM and 2:30PMfor sewer replacement. Detours will be posted. 

Harrison Pike at Addison Road

Harrison Pike near the intersection of Addison Road will be closed Monday, March 2nd through Tuesday, March 3rd for water main replacement. Detours will be posted.

Jersey Pike at Norfolk Southern Railroad

Jersey Pike at the Norfolk Southern Railroad grade crossing will be closed Tuesday, March 3rd for maintenance. Detours will be posted..

E 3rd Street

E 3rd Street between Wiehl Street and Hampton Street (directly in front of the Whitehall Medical Building) will be closed to all traffic on Wednesday, March 4th from 6PM until 4AM for crane installation. Detours will be posted via Central Ave, Blackford Street and Hampton Street. 

Addison Road

Addison Road between Harrison Pike and Bonny Oaks Drive will be narrowed to one lane beginning Wednesday, March 4th through Friday, April 24th for water main replacement. Two way traffic will be maintained by the use of a temporary traffic signal.  

READ MORE

TDOT To Work On I-24 This Weekend

TDOT contract crews will make concrete repairs this weekend on I-24 West from mile marker 178.9 to mile marker 178.7 in lane #1 (left/fast lane). The work will begin at 8:00 p.m. this Friday and end by or before 6:00 a.m. EST. During the work, lane #1 will be closed. Lane #2 and the Williams Street on-ramp to I-24 West will remain open to traffic.

This work will consist of sawing and removing damaged concrete slabs and re-pouring them with new concrete, which will need several hours to harden enough to handle traffic. As soon as the concrete hardens enough to pass strength tests, all lanes will be reopened to traffic.

While this work takes place, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and a truck-mounted attenuator with a message board will be on site to assist with traffic control and information. Drivers are urged to obey the signage and pay close attention to changing conditions in the work zone.  

This concrete repair work is being done as part of a statewide on-call concrete repair contract. This work is weather dependent. Should weather or unforeseen circumstances postpone this work, it will be rescheduled to take place as soon as possible.

READ MORE

Raining? Cancel Cruise Control!

From the National Safety Commission:

Rain presents two distinct dangers to a driver; both with essentially the same end result. After a dry spell of any period, accumulated oil, grease, and dirt on the road can create extremely slippery conditions. The roads are most dangerous just after it starts to rain when a light sheen of water is standing on the road. The oil, grease etc. rise up in a layer on top of the water creating conditions similar to ice on the road. It creates such a problem during the summer thunderstorm period in the southeast that it is referred to as “Florida ice.” After a period of heavy rain, the oil and grease will wash off the road and the slippery conditions diminish.

Heavy rain however creates a separate and equally dangerous situation. When water stands on the road, it can become deep enough that the tires can’t squeeze the water through the tread fast enough. When this happens, the tires can actually rise up on top of the water and ride across the water like water skis creating a condition known as “hydroplaning.” Hydroplaning can start at speeds as low as 35 mph and becomes especially dangerous at speeds above 55 mph. The higher the speed, the greater the chance of hydroplaning.

In either situation, the first step a driver should take to counteract skidding is to take his/her foot off the gas pedal in order to slow the car’s speed. Unless you have anti-lock brakes, you shouldn’t apply the brakes until you have the car under control and the speed is reduced. Applying the brakes in a car without anti-lock brakes only adds to the problem. Grasp the steering wheel in both hands, steer toward the direction of the skid and then steer to keep your car centered in your lane.

This is where cruise control presents a problem. Cruise control will want to keep your vehicle going at a constant speed and speed only adds to the problem. Cruise control is disabled when you step on the brakes but that is exactly what you don’t want to do in a skidding situation unless your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes. The safest thing to do when it starts to rain is to disengage the cruise control and lower your speed. Driving in the rain really requires heightened awareness and that seat-of-the-pants feel for the car. Save your cruise control for fair weather.

READ MORE

Worst Bottlenecks And We Ain’t Talkin’ Beer

The intersection of interstates 75 and 24 and the intersection of Interstate 24 and U.S. 27 in Chattanooga made the list of the country’s 100 worst bottlenecks from the the American Transportation Research Institute, though neither of them ended up in the national top 20.

The American Transportation Research Institute ranked the 100 worst freight bottleneck intersections in the country. These are the six in Tennessee that made the list and their relative score among the 100 worst congestion sites.

No. 3: Nashville, I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East)

No. 22: Nashville, I-40 at I-65 (East)

No. 32: Chattanooga, I-75 at I-24

No. 51: Chattanooga, I-24 at US 27

No. 74: Nashville, I-65 at I-24

No. 94: Nashville, I-65 at I-440

The intersection of I-95 and SR 4 in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is the worst freight bottleneck in the country. The rest of the Top 10 includes:

No. 2: Atlanta, I-285 at I-85 (North)

No. 3: Nashville, I-24/I-40 at I-440 (East)

No. 4: Houston, I-45 at I-69/US 59

No. 5: Atlanta, GA, I-75 at I-285 (North)

No. 6: Chicago, IL, I-290 at I-90/I-94

No. 7: Atlanta, GA: I-20 at I-285 (West)

No. 8: Cincinnati, OH, I-71 at I-75

No. 9: Los Angeles, CA, SR 60 at SR 57

No. 10: Los Angeles, CA, I-710 at I-105

READ MORE

GDOT: Alabama Hwy Construction Update

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) ongoing Alabama Highway widening and reconstruction project in Ringgold will take longer than expected to complete and will cost $1.5 million more than originally expected.

Work on the project initially began in July 2017 with a projected completion date of December 2020. Officials with GDOT now say the construction timeline has been pushed back almost 10 months.

As far as the current construction and future detours go, GDOT officials have urged drivers to be as safe as possible when traveling through the construction zones and detours.

READ MORE

Click HERE For Weekend Road Closures

Thursday, February 20
Grand Opening of the Medal of Honor Museum –  W Aquarium Way between Broad Street and Market Street will be closed on Thursday, February 20th from 3PM until 10PM for set up and preview functions.


Friday, February 21
Southside Social Weekend Closures –  Chestnut Street between W 17th Street and W 19th Street will be closed every Friday and Saturday night from 9PM until 2AM.  This closure will be in effect through December 19, 2020
Saturday, February 22

Grand Opening of the Medal of Honor Museum –  W Aquarium Way between Broad Street and Market Street; also Broad Street between Shuttle Park South and W Aquarium Way, will be closed on Saturday, February 22nd from 8AM until 2PM for Grand Opening events.  

Mardis Gras On Station Street –  Station Street between Market Street and Rossville Ave will be closed Saturday, February 22nd at 6AM until Sunday, February 23rd at 2AM for Mardis Gras on Station Street event.

Southside Social Weekend Closures –  Chestnut Street between W 17th Street and W 19th Street will be closed every Friday and Saturday night from 9PM until 2AM.  This closure will be in effect through December 19, 2020.  

READ MORE

Just What Is Hands Free Tennessee?

Most people have heard of “Hands Free Tennessee” but might not be clear on everything included in the law. If so, here you go…

WHAT IS the Tennessee Hands Free Law?

PC0412 makes it illegal for a driver to:

(a) hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body,

(b) write, send, or read any text-based communication,

(c) reach for a cellphone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt,

(d) watch a video or movie on a cellphone or mobile device, and

(e) record or broadcast video on a cellphone or mobile device.

Is distracted driving a problem in Tennessee?

In 2018, there were over 24,600 crashes involving a distracted driver in Tennessee. On average, that is sixty-seven crashes every single day. A recent study listed Tennessee as having the highest rate of distracted driving deaths in the nation – nearly five times the national average. Your phone can wait – your safety can’t.

READ MORE

Will This Rain Ever Stop?

I guess luckily the answer to that question is yes as forecasters are calling for a cooler but dry weekend. In the meantime, slick roads are resulting in accidents a plenty on our roadways. Please pack a little extra patience before your next commute! Here are some tips for driving in the rain:

Slow down. Wet pavement causes tires to lose traction and vehicles become more difficult to handle.

Avoid standing water on roadways. Not only can you hydroplane and lose control, but you can impair your vision and other drivers’ visibility by splashing through puddles. Moreover, standing water often shields potholes and debris from view and it can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle’s brakes.

Increase your following distance. Slick roads, wet brakes and reduced visibility can lead to collisions. Give other vehicles plenty of room and brake early with reduced force.

If your car begins to hydroplane, do not brake or turn the wheel abruptly as this may cause your vehicle to go into a skid or spin. Take your foot off the gas and keep the wheel straight until your car reclaims traction. Brake gently if needed.

Don’t use cruise control. It can cause your car to accelerate when hydroplaning and reduces driver attentiveness.

Grip the steering wheel with both hands to maximize vehicle control. This means putting down your cell phone (remember, texting while driving is still illegal in 35 states) coffee, makeup, shaver, sandwich or anything else that takes your hands off the wheel and eyes away from the road.

Keep your windshield wipers in tip-top shape. Winter cold can wreak havoc on your blades, so get them checked before rainy seasons arrive.

Defog your windows. Precipitation can cause your windshield to quickly fog up, so use the front and rear defrosters to maximize visibility.

READ MORE

And You Thought YOUR Commute Was Bad

  • Here are some of the worst traffic tie ups in US history, according to Forbes.com
  • Bethel, New York: August 1969.  This three-day tie-up over August 15-18, 1969 is historic for more than just traffic. With more than 500,000 attendees descending on Max Yasgur’s famous farm for the Woodstock Music & Arts Festival, the New York Thruway became a stranglehold for more than 20 miles, with many motorists eventually abandoning their cars and hoofing it to enjoy “three days of peace and music” (and rain and mud and more than 10 times the anticipated crowd). Performers had to be flown to and from the site in helicopters to avoid the crippling congestion.
  • Chicago, Illinois: February 2011.  A near-record 20.2 inches of snow fell on the Windy City on February 1, 2011 in a late-winter blizzard that hit the hardest during the evening rush hour. The most unfortunate commuters were those on the otherwise idyllic Lake Shore Drive headed northbound from downtown Chicago. A series of weather-related accidents slowed, and then halted traffic and buried motorists for more than 12 hours in drifting snow that reached almost as high as the cars’ windshields.
  • Interstate 45, Texas: September 2005.  With Hurricane Rita approaching Houston residents were told to evacuate on September 21, 2005, with as many as 2.5 million of them packing evacuation routes, creating a massive 100-mile queue on Interstate 45. The congestion reportedly lasted for as much as 48 hours, leaving motorists stranded for as long as 24 hours along the 300-mile route from Galveston to Dallas. Though crippling, the mass evacuation is said to have probably saved many lives.
  • New York City, New York: September 2001.  In the days following the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, New York City was virtually locked down, with bridges and tunnels closed to all but emergency vehicles, public transportation shut down and traffic at a halt across the city. What’s more, the nation’s air traffic was grounded, leaving thousands of travelers stranded across the U.S.

READ MORE