State Offices in Middle and West Tennessee are closed Wednesday, Feb. 19th due to winter weather. This includes the following Driver Services Centers: Murfreesboro, Murfreesboro Express, Shelbyville, Tullahoma, Nashville/Downtown Express, Nashville/Hart Lane, Nashville/Hickory Hollow, McMinnville, Franklin, Lebanon, Dickson, Gallatin, Oakland, Trenton, Savannah, Crossville, Oak Ridge, Paris, Fayetteville, Jackson, Jasper, Columbia, Clarksville, Union City, Cookeville, Springfield, Bartlett Express, Memphis/East Shelby Drive, Memphis/Summer Avenue, Millington and Covington.

 

Caution Advised: Icy Road Conditions Across Middle Tennessee:

As of 6:05 AM, the interstates throughout Middle Tennessee are open, but motorists are driving at a slower pace. It’s important to be cautious during your commute this Wednesday morning, as some roadways that appear mostly clear may actually have slick spots and black ice. We have received multiple reports from drivers indicating that overpasses, particularly bridges in the rural areas of Rutherford County and beyond, are hazardous. View interstate cameras throughout the state and read the latest incident reports before traveling HERE.

Throughout Murfreesboro, roads are being salted, but motorists need to remain vigilant regarding current road conditions. Patchy ice will continue to create hazards for everyone, which have already led to minor fender benders and incidents. Additionally, similar to the rural areas of the county, some of the less traveled roadways in the city may be much slicker than others. If you must travel, give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination and remember to leave your headlights on, maintain a safe distance, and don’t hesitate to turn on your flashers when slowing down to cross a bridge.

Regardless of what part of town you’re in during these cold and icy days (or nights), bridges are considered more dangerous than roads because they are more exposed to cold air passing over and underneath their structure. Bridges are traditionally made of concrete and steel, which cool more quickly than asphalt. It’s best to avoid bridges altogether in icy weather. However, if you must cross a bridge on your commute, do so with extreme caution, as WGNS has already received several reports from motorists confirming that multiple bridges are slicker than the roadways leading up to them.

In northern Rutherford County, the Smyrna Police Department reminds drivers to exercise extra caution while driving, as freezing temperatures are forecasted to continue over the next 24 hours. They also emphasized that motorists should be particularly careful when driving on bridges, overpasses, and even on shaded roadways or in parking lots.