Nashville, TN – As cold air deepens across the Volunteer State and snow showers move east this month, transportation officials are warning drivers in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis to use extreme caution on bridges and overpasses that are freezing faster than other roadways.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they are exposed to cold air both above and below, allowing heat to escape quickly from the pavement. That rapid cooling causes icy spots to develop even when main roads remain wet.
“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 Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has begun pre-treating high-traffic corridors, including I-40, I-24, and I-75, applying brine and salt to key bridges, ramps, and interchanges ahead of expected overnight freezing.
Motorists are urged to slow down before bridges, maintain a steady speed across icy patches, and avoid hard braking or sharp turns. Officials say even a thin glaze of ice can send vehicles sliding — especially during early morning commutes.
Travelers can check real-time road and weather updates at TDOTSmartWay.com or follow @myTDOT for statewide alerts.
