Tennessee Department of Transportation officials said working to keep roads clear after snow moved through Monday night into Tuesday morning.
TDOT said they feel like they will be able to keep interstates clear, but the challenge was trying to clear slush from roadways before it refreezes.
This is the TDOT dispatch center. They are monitoring road conditions right now. As temps drop and roads ice over, they expect conditions to worsen @NC5pic.twitter.com/4ms9CfsOgM
— Alexandra Koehn (@NC5_AKoehn) January 16, 2018
Unlike Friday, TDOT crews were able to salt roads in advance since rain wasn’t an issue.
"We've put down so much salt, so much brine on the roads already with the cleanup," said TDOT Operations District Supervisor Luis Pisarra. "Hopefully this will provide our guys with a chance to get some rest."
According to a TDOT spokesperson, problematic areas will be Rutherford County and locations where the snow moved in later.
As temperatures drop and the snow and slush freezes, road conditions could become hazardous.
If you do have to be out on the roads, the Tennessee Highway Patrol recommends you allow plenty of time, drive slow and allow extra distance between you and the car in front of you.
Metro Police and road crews stayed busy all day. From early Tuesday morning until 2 in afternoon, officers responded to 140 crashes.
AAA always recommends drivers to be prepared during winter months with an emergency road kit in their vehicle, which should include:
- Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
- Snow shovel
- Snow brush
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Window washer solvent
- Ice scraper
- Cloth or roll of paper towels
- Jumper cables
- Gloves, hats and blankets
- Warning devices (flares or triangles)
- Drinking water
- Non-perishable snacks (energy or granola bars)
- Extra clothes
- First-aid kit
- Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
- Mobile phone and car charger with important numbers programmed in it, including a roadside assistance provider
