Nashville, TN – Transportation and weather officials are warning drivers across Tennessee to take extreme care as freezing temperatures and light snow showers cause bridges and overpasses to ice over faster than other roadways. The warning applies particularly to Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, where freezing conditions are expected to persist throughout the week.
The Incident: Sudden Drop in Temperatures Creating Travel Hazards
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a surge of cold Arctic air has pushed into the region, dropping temperatures below freezing across much of the state. As a result, bridges and elevated roadways are freezing rapidly, creating dangerous travel conditions for early morning and evening commuters.
“Bridges can turn slick in just minutes once temperatures drop near freezing,” the NWS said Friday. “Black ice is particularly dangerous because drivers can’t see it until they’ve already lost traction.”
The agency warned that black ice — a nearly invisible layer of thin ice — can form even when other roadways remain just wet, catching drivers off guard and increasing the risk of collisions.
Investigation and Response: TDOT Pre-Treating Roads and Bridges
In response to the developing conditions, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has begun pre-treating major highways and high-traffic bridges across the state. Crews are applying brine and salt solutions to interstates including I-40, I-24, and I-75, focusing on key ramps, overpasses, and interchanges prone to early icing.
TDOT officials said treatment began ahead of the anticipated freeze and will continue through the weekend. The agency is also monitoring weather radar and temperature sensors along critical routes to dispatch salt trucks as needed.
“Our crews are ready and working overnight to keep major routes as safe as possible,” TDOT said in a public statement. “Still, drivers should use caution, especially on bridges that may appear clear but are frozen.”
Safety Warnings and Recommendations
Officials urge motorists to slow down before crossing bridges, maintain a steady speed over icy patches, and avoid hard braking or sudden steering movements. Even a thin glaze of ice, they warn, can cause vehicles to lose control.
The NWS and TDOT recommend that drivers:
- Leave extra distance between vehicles.
- Avoid using cruise control on icy surfaces.
- Check tire tread and pressure before traveling.
- Allow extra time for commutes during early mornings or late evenings when temperatures are coldest.
Emergency responders in Nashville have already reported several minor accidents related to slick bridges overnight, emphasizing the importance of taking the warnings seriously.
Background Context: Why Bridges Freeze First
Meteorologists explain that bridges and overpasses freeze before normal roadways because they are exposed to cold air on all sides, causing heat to escape more quickly from the pavement. In contrast, regular roads retain warmth from the ground below, delaying the freezing process.
This makes elevated structures the first to freeze and the last to thaw, a pattern that often leads to unexpected patches of ice for drivers who assume conditions are safe.
Ongoing Developments and Forecast
The NWS forecast predicts continued light snow and freezing drizzle through parts of Middle and East Tennessee over the next few days. Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing overnight, keeping roads slick into the morning hours.
Officials say travel advisories will remain in place until temperatures rise and TDOT confirms that bridge surfaces have cleared. Motorists traveling between Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis are urged to check real-time road updates on TDOT’s SmartWay system before leaving home.
Conclusion
With freezing conditions setting in across Tennessee, drivers are being reminded that even short trips can become dangerous when bridges ice over. State officials stress that patience, reduced speed, and caution could save lives during this cold snap.
What are your thoughts on Tennessee’s preparedness for winter driving conditions? Share your views in the comments below.
