NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Police are reminding Nashville drivers to slow down as construction ramps up on Interstate 440.
The speed limit on I-440 is normally 55 mph, but the work zone speed limit is only 45 mph – and Metro police say they’re paying attention to speeding drivers.
Police tweeted out the reminder to slow down on Thursday.
With major construction now underway on I-440, we, @THPNashville & @myTDOT are SERIOUS about the lowered speed limit, which many drivers are ignoring. 27 citations were issued on Tue of this week alone. The 45 mph speed limit protects both motorists & construction workers. pic.twitter.com/Gk1Wawgf0e
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) February 15, 2019
On Tuesday alone, officers issued 27 tickets for speeding in the work zone.
Those tickets can cost you up to $150 and give you more points on your license than a regular speeding ticket.
This is a good reminder, too, because this isn't even the worst of construction. Heavy construction begins in just a couple of weeks on March 1.
"Starting March first, there's going to be lane closures on the corridor," said TDOT spokesperson Kathryn Schulte. "It is going to be the kind of thing where you will have to pay attention. You will have to allow extra time and we've been trying to get the word out about that. Unfortunately, it is going to be frustrating for drivers a little while longer. But we all know it needs to be fixed and it's going to be better."
Merge lanes will be shortened and roadside shoulders will be gone. The interstate will go down to just two lanes during the day and only one at night – that will be a 24-hour a day, six-day a week operation.
Police say the lowered speed limit is in place to protect both the driver and construction workers.
