The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has announced a temporary suspension of construction-related lane closures across the state to accommodate a surge in holiday travel expected during the Christmas and New Year’s period.
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According to TDOT, all temporary lane closures on interstates and state highways will be paused as millions of travelers take to Tennessee roadways. The move is intended to reduce congestion and improve safety during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
“No temporary lane closures will be allowed for construction on Tennessee roadways beginning at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026,” TDOT said.
State officials estimate that approximately 2.8 million Tennesseans will be traveling during the holiday period, increasing traffic volumes statewide and prompting the need for uninterrupted roadway access.
TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E., emphasized the agency’s focus on safety and mobility during the busy travel window.
“Safety is our top priority, and with so many people expected to travel Tennessee roadways during the holidays, we want to keep traffic moving and get everyone to their destinations,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E. ““As always, please wear your seatbelt, reduce your speed, avoid distractions, and move over for emergency vehicles as our HELP Truck drivers will be on patrol.”
While construction work zones will largely be inactive during the suspension period, TDOT noted that long-term closures already in place or emergency repairs may still be active. Motorists are encouraged to remain alert, obey posted speed limits, and plan ahead when traveling.
The pause in construction activity reflects TDOT’s annual holiday travel strategy, which prioritizes traffic flow, roadway safety, and rapid incident response. TDOT’s HELP Trucks and emergency personnel will remain on patrol throughout the holiday period to assist stranded motorists and respond to crashes.
Normal construction schedules are expected to resume after January 2, 2026, once holiday traffic volumes return to typical levels.
Originally reported by Caleb Wethington in WSMV.
