TDOT stresses safety in work zones as 2025 sees higher rate of crashes
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is asking drivers to exercise caution on roadways as it observes National Work Zone Awareness Week.
TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi told News Channel 11 on Tuesday that more TDOT vehicles have been hit so far in 2025 than by the same time in 2024.
'This calendar year alone, we've had 35 of our TDOT trucks, the attenuators or help trucks, dump trucks, wherever it may be, that have been struck by oncoming vehicles,' Nagi said. 'And that's even more than last year. At this time, we had about 29 of those. So unfortunately, crashes like this happen quite often.'
Woman cited after crashing into THP unit responding to separate crash on I-81 in Sullivan Co.
During National Work Zone Awareness Week and throughout the year, TDOT urges drivers to reduce their speed when workers are present.
'Just slowing down can make a huge difference because if you don't slow down, you have reduced lane widths in a lot of these areas,' Nagi said. 'You have close quarters, and not slowing down can have extreme circumstances.'
Since the late 1940s, TDOT has kept a record of employees killed while working on roads.
'We've had 113 of our TDOT employees who have died in the line of duty, and obviously, that is 113 too many,' Nagi said.
Nagi encouraged drivers to be vigilant and careful when driving in a work zone and said it could save a life.
'We know that everybody is trying to get to and from their destinations as quickly as possible,' he said. 'Certainly, we understand that. But traveling through a work zone, not only does it keep you safe and keep workers safe, but it's also the law as well. So you've got to make sure that you are slowing down and concentrate 100% on your task. And that task is driving your vehicle through these areas safely.'
TDOT construction projects will begin ramping up as the weather trends warmer. Nagi said long-term resurfacing projects are expected to begin in several areas and asked motorists to travel safely through them.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Deputy Governor, TDOT Commissioner steps away after seven years
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Governor Bill Lee announced Friday that Deputy Governor and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Butch Eley is stepping away from his role in the third quarter of 2025 after nearly seven years of leadership. Eley has been a key figure in advancing infrastructure, financial stewardship and government modernization across the state, according to a news release. 'It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Governor Lee and the people of Tennessee,' Eley said in the release. 'From building long-term systems that better serve Tennesseans, to navigating some of our state's toughest challenges, I'm deeply proud of what we've accomplished. This moment marks not an end, but a pause—a chance to ensure a smooth transition and reflect on how I can continue to make an impact in new ways.' Local agencies warn of DMV text message scam Eley described the decision as a transition to step away from government to spend more time with his family. Under his role as TDOT Commissioner, Eley reportedly launched the following initiatives: Introduced Tennessee's first Public-Private Partnership (P3) initiatives to modernize project delivery and increase innovation by engaging the private sector. Pioneered alternative delivery models to improve project speed and efficiency, improving service for taxpayers. Created the first-ever fiscally constrained 10-year project plan, bringing unprecedented transparency and accountability to state transportation investments. Secured dedicated, recurring General Fund dollars for transportation for the first time in TDOT's history to ensure an additional and sustainable revenue stream to help meet Tennessee's infrastructure needs in the decades to come. Led the single-largest infrastructure investment in state history with the I-55 bridge over the Mississippi replacement project. Commenced the state's first performance-based maintenance contract, engaging the private sector with outlined metrics to establish clear and objective standards for how our roads should look to motorists. 'Since I decided to run for Governor, Deputy Governor Eley has served as one of my most trusted advisors,' Governor Bill Lee said in the release. 'I turned to him to manage our state departments as chief operating officer after my first inauguration, and then to steward our state's finances as finance and administration commissioner during the worst global economic decline since the Great Depression. In my second term, Butch stepped into a new role to prepare Tennessee's infrastructure for generations to come, ensuring we continue to accommodate our state's extraordinary economic growth. I've entrusted him with some of the most difficult challenges facing our state, and he has consistently overachieved. Butch has served the people of Tennessee with the highest level of excellence, and God has blessed Maria and me with a lifelong friend. I thank him for his unwavering leadership.' 'None of this work has been mine alone,' Eley said in the release. 'It's been the result of an extraordinary Governor, supportive and engaged teams, and a shared commitment to making government work better for the people we serve. Leadership is about stewardship—and I believe the systems, improvements, and processes we've built are strong enough to thrive for years to come.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Strongwell products to be distributed throughout Europe
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — Strongwell, headquartered in Bristol, Virginia, announced on Thursday it has entered an agreement with Module Solutions & Systems AS (MSS) of Norway. The agreement allows MSS to distribute Strongwell's products in Europe, excluding the United Kingdom, according to a news release posted by the City of Bristol, Virginia. 'We are excited to have MSS as our European distribution partner,' Strongwell Vice President of Sales and Engineering David Gibbs said in the release. 'Their experience and presence in the region will allow us to better serve international customers with Strongwell's high-performance, American-made composite products.' Crews to start building baseball field elements inside Bristol Motor Speedway MSS will distribute standard and non-standard FRP products from Strongwell. 'This agreement with Strongwell marks an exciting new chapter for MSS,' MSS Managing Director Morten Alstadsæther said in the release. 'Strongwell's FRP solutions are world-class, and we are proud to offer European customers local access to these proven, high-performance products. Our team is fully committed to supporting clients with technical expertise and responsive service, ensuring the success of every project we're part of.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Deadly single-vehicle crash temporarily shut down Interstate 840 West in Rutherford County
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A deadly single-vehicle crash temporarily shut down Interstate 840 Wednesday afternoon. The Tennessee Department of Transportation had an incident marker on the SmartWay map for a single-vehicle crash at mile marker 64.8 on Interstate 840 reported at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday. ⏩ Erin Zeigler, a regional communications officer for TDOT, posted to social media that all westbound lanes of Interstate 840 were closed near mile marker 65 — Exit 65 — due to a single-vehicle crash. TDOT also told News 2 that a helicopter was en route to the scene. Minutes later, Zeigler added that westbound drivers were moving along the right shoulder. All lanes were reopened by 5:23 p.m. News 2 has reached out to the Tennessee Highway Patrol for a preliminary crash report, but a spokesperson confirmed that the crash was deadly. 📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.💻 for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
