The demolition was handled by explosives technicians from Engineered Explosive Services. The process first involved cutting almost completely through the massive steel support beams, then placing shaped cutting charges to finish the job. The support columns had been pre-drilled to allow explosive charges to be placed inside. Once that was complete, all equipment located on or near the bridge had to be removed. Then after a final safety check, it was time for the blast.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The blast was originally scheduled to occur at 10:00pm, however delays pushed that time back to shortly after midnight.

Just before the explosives were set off, the last bit of equipment was removed from the bridge. Once this was taken care of, blasts of a vehicle horn sounded. Light flashed through the night as explosive charges cut the bridge steel into four sections before two larger charges demolished the two supporting concrete pillars. The bridge folded into it’s self as it plummeted towards the river.

After the smoke cleared, the steel support beams could be seen rising out of the river. A few minutes later the road was re-opened.

The demolition proceeded under a special permit from the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Typically explosive demolition is limited to daylight hours. That was impractical in this case due to the amount of traffic the road supports during the day.

The blast marks the end of phase two of the planned construction. They will now build the north bound lane portion of the new bridge. Phase two should be complete by December of this year.

The new bridge will feature two lanes on each side, along with a center turn lane. Both the north and south bound sides will feature sidewalks.

The green painted bridge was originally built in 1931, and dedicated as the Lynnwood-Tarpley Bridge; however most people in Clarksville simply called it the “Red River Bridge.”

TDOT Commissioner John Schroer was on hand to witness the demolition as this was the first demolition project during his tenure as the head of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. He said “I am sure that the citizens of Clarksville will be happy to see this project reach competition.”

Near APSU, the intersection of North Second and College streets is closed while the Tennessee Department of Transportation continues sewer repairs. This is scheduled to last six to eight weeks. If driving to campus from Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, College Street can be accessed up to Fourth Street and Home Avenue.

A view of the excavation at the intersection of North Second Street and College Street. The intersection is closed while the Tennessee Department of Transportation continues sewer repairs.

Repairs on Jackson Alley near the Kimbrough Building and the Music/Mass Communication Building should be complete before the start of the fall semester.

A road paving project is planned for sometime between now and October at North Second and Kraft streets. More details will be announced as they become available.

Some of the campus parking lots have been added, paved or improved. These include Ninth Street next to the Hemlock Semiconductor Building (paved student parking lot), University Avenue and Main Street (student parking lot) and a student housing gravel lot at the former Faust House site. Parking at the Trahern lot might not be ready by the time the semester begins.

Future updates will be communicated to the campus and public as they become available.

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced today that federal and state aeronautics grants totaling $6,690,332 have been approved for 14 Tennessee airports.

Clarksville’s Outlaw Field received a $300,000 grant.

Airports receiving grants include:

• McGhee Tyson Airport
• Nashville International Airport
• John C. Tune Airport
• Tri-Cities Regional Airport
• Outlaw Field
• Cleveland Municipal Airport
• Covington Municipal Airport
• Fayetteville Municipal Airport
• Sumner County Regional Airport
• McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport
• Warren County Memorial Airport
• Millington Regional Jetport
• Springfield-Robertson County Airport
• Everett-Stewart Regional Airport

The grants are made available through the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division.

The division administers federal and state funding to assist in the location, design, construction and maintenance of Tennessee’s diverse public aviation system.

Except for routine expenditures, grant applications are reviewed by the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission (TAC), which is a five member board charged with policy planning and with regulating changes in the state Airport System Plan. The board carefully reviews all applications for grants to ensure that the proper state and local matching funds are in place and that the grants will be used for needed improvements.

The TDOT Aeronautics Division has the responsibility of inspecting and licensing the state’s 126 heliports and 75 public/general aviation airports. The Division also provides aircraft and related services for state government and staffing for the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission.

Explosives were detonated at 10:14:05pm and brought down the concrete columns on the southbound bridge.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The City of Clarksville is preparing to submit a grant application to help with funding of the following two projects.

The first project includes a quarter mile segment from the confluence of the Cumberland and Red Rivers (terminus of the McGregor Park RiverWalk), heading due east to the New Providence Boulevard Bridge.

The second project encompasses a half mile segment that ties into the existing Fort Defiance Trail behind the new Fort Defiance Interpretive Center heading due north along the bluffs of the Cumberland River and connecting to Trice Landing Park.

For those who were unable to attend the meeting and would like to provide their own input, please visit our website, www.cityofclarksville.com, then in the news feed click on the “City of Clarksville Comment Form- River Trail Extension” link.

For more information, please contact the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Office at 931-645-7476.

“The Law Enforcement Challenge recognizes outstanding performances by law enforcement agencies and officers from across the state,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “These dedicated public servants work diligently for the good of their communities and deserve this recognition both by the state and nationally.”

Back Row, L-R Ofc Alan Altman, Ofc Bob Peterson, Ofc Christina Gilliard, Ofc Mike Caver, Front Row-L-R Margaret Perkinson, Deputy Chief Frankie Gray, Misty Mackens, Chief Al Ansley, Lt Gary Hurst, Ofc Derrick Cronk.

The winning safety programs combined officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within their jurisdictions.”

Nashville, TN – Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke and Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan presented the 2010 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards at the Ellington Agriculture Center campus in Nashville Monday, recognizing 16 honorees whose efforts have made a positive impact on the state’s natural resources.

“Protecting our environment ensures that our communities remain healthy and strong,” said Fyke. “Today’s (Monday’s) award ceremony honored those groups and individuals that have demonstrated true dedication in taking environmental stewardship to a new level. I commend all of our honorees and encourage all Tennesseans to follow their example in preserving our natural resources.”

Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke and Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan present several representatives from the city of Clarksville and its Parks and Recreation team with the Greenways and Trails honor at the 2010 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, recently held in Nashville. 

In its 24^th year, the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program recognizes exemplary voluntary actions that improve or protect our environment and natural resources with projects or initiatives that are not required by law or regulations. Thirteen awards were presented to individuals, community organizations and government agencies in a number of environmental categories.

Three additional honors were announced at Monday’s ceremony. They are the:

• Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award – Jeanie Nelson, The Land Trust for Tennessee;
• Governor’s Award for Excellence in Sustainable Transportation Solutions – Tennessee Department of Transportation; and
• Commissioner’s Award for Exceptional Commitment and Public Service – Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan.

The Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award

The Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Nashvillian Jean C. “Jeanie” Nelson, with The Land Trust for Tennessee.

Nelson currently serves as The Land Trust for Tennessee’s executive director and president of the board, a position she’s held since The Land Trust for Tennessee was founded by Governor Phil Bredesen. Nelson has served as chief deputy attorney general for Tennessee, general counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the EPA administrator’s liaison to Vice President Al Gore’s office. She has also served as president of the Tennessee Environmental Action Fund (now called Tennessee Conservation Voters) and on the boards of the Tennessee Environmental Council and Southern Environmental Law Center. During his tenure as mayor of Nashville, Bredesen appointed Nelson a founding co-chair of the Metro Greenways Commission, and she was instrumental in identifying and procuring sites such as Shelby Bottoms Park.

“Each year, we recognize an individual who has devoted a lifetime of exemplary service to environmental protection or conservation stewardship in Tennessee,” said Sloan. “Through her work over the past 30 years, Jeanie Nelson has created a positive impact across Tennessee and beyond.”

2010 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards

Robert Sparks Walker was a native of Chattanooga and a leading Tennessee naturalist. Winners of this lifetime achievement award reflect Walker’s contribution to a greater awareness of Tennessee’s environment and the need to preserve its natural beauty. Nominees must have at least 25 years of service devoted to enhancing Tennessee’s environment through natural resource management, conservation, education and public service. Previous winners include Dr. Patrick Doyle, Mack Prichard, Ann Tidwell, Gary Myers, Happy Birdsong, John Noel and Judge Larry Potter.

Governor’s Award for Excellence in Sustainable Transportation Solutions

A new addition to the 2010 awards roster is the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Sustainable Transportation Solutions, which was presented to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for their demonstrated performance over the past seven years. This new category acknowledges the role of thoughtful transportation planning, coordination, design, construction and operation in determining the conditions of our land, air and water for current and future generations.

“Moving people, goods and products across Tennessee is vital to the quality of our environment and communities,” said Sloan. “We are pleased to present TDOT with this inaugural award and appreciate their ongoing efforts in a number of areas including sensitive design, enhanced public participation, and progressive environmental and long-term planning.”

TDOT also was recognized for several initiatives and projects, including its innovative I-40 SmartFix project, ongoing stormwater management and education, and automotive fluids management. Also noteworthy are TDOT’s aggressive air quality improvements, including anti-idling policies, diesel emission reduction efforts, serving as an EPA SmartWay partner and expanding availability of alternative fuels for motorists.

Those eligible for the Sustainable Transportation Solutions award include transit organizations and providers, planning groups, construction companies, professional service firms and non-governmental organizations. Recipients may demonstrate innovation, creativity and improvements through specific projects or larger-system processes that qualify for this recognition. This can range from creative solutions for moving people from place to place in ways that reduce harmful air emissions to new ways for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and helping eliminate needless congestion.

Commissioner’s Award for Exceptional Commitment and Public Service

A highlight of this year’s award ceremony was the special recognition presented to Deputy Commissioner Sloan, who received the Commissioner’s Award for Exceptional Commitment and Public Service.

“It has been a great privilege for me to work side by side with Paul Sloan,” said Fyke. “Recognizing his exceptional commitment and public service over the past five years was a very fitting end to today’s ceremony, as he has successfully managed the many challenges and priorities that define the department’s Bureau of Environment.”

Sloan joined the department in 2005 as head of the environmental regulatory bureau, leading the senior management team responsible for safeguarding human health and protecting the quality of Tennessee’s land, air and water.

Holding a law degree from Vanderbilt University, Sloan’s career includes success in education, law, business, and conservation advocacy. He was a founding board member of Cumberland Region Tomorrow, a former trustee of The Nature Conservancy and a former board member of the Cumberland River Compact.

2010 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards

With a long-standing interest in identifying practical ways public policy can create a more sustainable future for Tennessee and the region, Sloan has worked closely with Governor Bredesen’s office and other local, state and federal agencies on critical issues involving water resources, energy conservation and alternative fuels in Tennessee.

The complete roster of the 2010 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award winners is as follows:

Excellence in Agriculture and Forestry
King Dairy Farm – The Steve King Family
Sullivan County

The King Dairy Farm has been in existence since 1774. Today, the farm has more than 180 cows, which are milked twice daily and average over 20,000 pounds of milk per cow each year. Almost all of the feed for the herd is produced on the farm and they incorporate conservation best management practices into their crop production. Corn silage yields are exceptionally high because they practice conservation tillage to reduce soil erosion. Because 100 percent of the farm’s confined animal and milking parlor wastes are stored and kept out of the nearby stream and lake, the farm is able to use the waste as fertilizer to help reduce the amount of nutrients purchased. A 2,600-foot underground pipeline was also installed to deliver this valuable waste to cropland through an irrigation system. The farm also practices crop rotation and winter cover to control runoff, soil erosion and to improve soil. The farm installed a new energy efficient, variable-speed vacuum pump for its milking parlor and continually makes environmental improvements each year.

Excellence in Aquatic Resource Preservation
City of Athens / Athens-McMinn Family YMCA
McMinn County

With two streams listed on the state’s impaired waters list, the city of Athens teamed up with the local YMCA to take a plan for a traditional parking lot and build an all-green parking area, showcasing various green technologies. Located on city property behind City Hall, the lot uses pervious concrete and pavers, geoblock green paving and rain gardens – all focal points combined for the first time at one location and using technologies that have approximately a 50-year life, as opposed to asphalt with a 20-year life. The rain gardens allow the rain gradient to percolate through six inches of stone underneath the entire lot and clay berms help keep water in the garden’s sub-base longer. The city of Athens supplied the labor and equipment, saving a total of $60,000, and utilized a local Eagle Scout candidate to help build an educational kiosk with the first “green” roof in the county.

Excellence in Building Green
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee – New Cameron Hill Campus
Hamilton County

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee built its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design corporate headquarters on Cameron Hill, consolidating 4,500 people from 10 locations throughout the city of Chattanooga while reducing its operating costs through environmental and design efficiency. Once certified, the 950,000-square-foot headquarters will be the largest LEED project in Tennessee. The campus provides employees a smoke-free environment, a 17,000-square-foot fitness center, employee pharmacy and clinic, an outdoor walking path and reflecting pools. Additionally, more than half of the 52-acre site is preserved as undisturbed forest area.

As part of its new campus, BCBST restored Boynton Park – the historic Civil War memorial, which now serves as a public park. Building design reduced energy costs by 20 percent or $265,000 per year. Through low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation systems and low-water use plants, approximately 20 million gallons of water are saved annually. Other innovations include a raised floor system, which lowers energy costs from 30 to 60 percent; high performance and task lighting controls, which can increase employee productivity; and seven percent of the parking spaces are designated for low-emission vehicles. The company will save approximately $4 million a year in operating costs.

Excellence in Energy Leadership
Nissan Americas – Williamson County
Williamson County

With an investment in excess of $100 million dollars, Nissan North America’s 460,000-square-foot corporate facility in Franklin includes a site design that minimizes energy consumption, maximizes open space, uses high-recycled materials and incorporates on-site renewable resources. Preserving

large areas of open green space, the facility sits on a 50-acre site and has 2.5 acres of improved wetlands. Located between South Prong Creek and a tributary, the wetlands provide long-term protection and enhance local aquatic ecosystems, as both streams are listed on the state’s impaired waters list, and provide a third tier of storm water protection and exceptionally clear runoff.

In addition to tracking and benchmarking their energy performance, Nissan developed a plan to reduce energy intensity across all operations. Electrical power use is continuously monitored at the Nissan North America facility to ensure they use only what is needed. By preserving green space, Nissan uses the site to naturally absorb storm water and to reduce the heat “island” effect typically caused by large areas of asphalt. Other efforts include the reduction of impervious pavement by 70 percent, a “green” roof covers the office tower and daylight harvesting. Overall, Nissan’s energy efficient strategies include a 33-percent reduction in consumption, saving 1,600 tons of coal per year. Throughout construction, Nissan collected, separated and recycled 3.78 tons of steel, six tons of cardboard, 14 tons of wood and 325 tons of concrete construction debris.

Excellence in Green Schools Higher Education
Pellissippi State Community College
Knox County

Pellissippi State Community College has engaged in a combination of sustainability initiatives, including new building design, green job education and student participation in recycling. Students, faculty and staff have developed cooperative, mutually beneficial efforts that increased sustainability in the operations of the college, offered new sustainability education programs to the community and trained 40 students – involving students directly in the process of sustainability within the campus environment.

Efforts include the expansion of the school’s bicycle storage, the inclusion of shower/changing facilities for individuals riding their bicycles to campus, reserved parking near campus buildings for carpool vehicles, and charging stations in reserved parking spaces for alternative fuel vehicles. Other initiatives included a new building constructed to LEED standards, educational programs in photovoltaics and energy conservation, and campus student projects designed to maintain collegewide recycling efforts. By expanding recycling from 15 collection containers for aluminum to 70 single-stream collection containers, collections rose to approximately 350 pounds per week in 2009.

Excellence in Green Schools K-12
University School of Nashville
Davidson County

Illustrating their growing environmental commitment, The University School of Nashville involves students of all ages in “greening” its campus, studying environmental issues and conducting community environmental outreach. Beginning in kindergarten with the award-winning Young Naturalists Program, students become grounded in nature and develop an environmental stewardship ethic. This year, 6th graders studied deforestation and global warming and examined the concept of the “carbon footprint,” making a difference in offsetting their own carbon by planting 178 trees in the community. In addition, the Middle School photography class used their skills and love of nature to publish a field guide to the trees on the Edgehill campus.

The school’s previous field guide for the H.G. Hill property was used as a fundraising tool by the West Meade Conservancy and Friends of Warner Parks to raise $10.4 million for acquisition of the old-growth forest property. This 324 acres will eventually become part of Warner Parks. The students also researched the annual quantities of styrofoam plates, cups, and cutlery that were costing the school $11,200 and ending up in a Middle Tennessee landfill. Changing over to nondisposables and budgeting for a bigger, more energy efficient dishwasher – the school was able to reduce their waste.

Excellence in Environmental Education and Outreach
The Water Quality Forum’s Rainy Day Brush Off
Knox County

Created in 2008 by the Water Quality Forum of Knoxville, the Rainy Day Brush Off artistic rain barrel competition features actual works of art on 55-gallon rain barrels to help raise awareness about water conservation and water pollution. Engaging the regional visual arts community, the Rainy Day Brush Off produces a unique collection of barrels, while providing the community with an aesthetically compelling and easily accessible water conservation tool. Since its inception, the Rainy Day Brush Off has created 89 unique rain barrels produced by artists, school groups, 4-H clubs, design collectives and businesses. The painted barrels are displayed throughout Knox County and feature helpful information on the benefits of using a rain barrel and tips on reducing storm water pollution. Currently there are more than 2,000 functioning rain barrels throughout the Knoxville area.

Excellence in Hazardous Waste Reduction
Tri State Distribution, Inc.
White County

Established in 1992 as a prescription container manufacturer, Tri State Distribution, Inc. has nearly 350,000 square feet on 23 acres in Sparta. With help from a third-party consulting firm, Tri State Distribution assesses its operations every six months for health, safety and environmental issues. During one of those assessments, it was noted that employees were mixing hazardous waste with non-hazardous. By eliminating the acetone mix with that activity, Tri State Distribution has dropped from a Large Quantity Generator to Small Quantity Generator – going from 1,348 pounds to 230 pounds per month. This reduction in acetone mix was achieved while growing their operations by 24 percent in 2009. Tri State Distribution also sends its non- hazardous waste off-site from its White House facility for laundering and reuse. Tri State Distribution recently installed an oil / water separator – a $30,000 investment to minimize their oily water solid waste stream.

Excellence in Greenways and Trails
City of Clarksville Greenways
Montgomery County

The city of Clarksville has added a 3.6-mile trail to its current greenways and trails system. This particular addition was constructed on a six-mile abandoned rail bed with an estimated cost of $2.5 million for the project – but due to city leadership, local community support and the help of various city departments, the project only cost the city $330,000. Materials and labor for the walking path were donated by local businesses and the majority of the land and right-of-way were donated by private citizens – further reducing the cost of the project. The addition of the greenway will help establish a buffer along the Red River and nearby streams, while providing a habitat for diverse plant and animal species.

Excellence in Natural Heritage Conservation
Friends of Warner Parks – Preservation of The Hill Forest
Davidson County

Made possible by the Friends of Warner Parks, the “Save Our Ancient Forest” project includes the acquisition and preservation of a 324-acre natural area with approximately 225 acres of old-growth forest in Metropolitan Nashville / Davidson County. The Metropolitan Nashville Board of Parks and Recreation approved the acquisition as an addition to the 2,684-acre Warner Parks system. This project will have a significant positive impact on Nashville’s environmental, educational, recreational and economic goals.

Another innovative component of the project is the partnership with area high schools and universities, in addition to the opportunities for a living laboratory in the old-growth forest. Inventories of the flora and fauna and other research projects will reveal information and help influence resource management priorities. An initial birding survey of the property identified three bird species of High Conservation Concern to this region. The “Save Our Ancient Forest” project preserves and protects Tennessee’s natural landscape through the acquisition of one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth forest in the United States – ensuring its gentle use and enjoyment today and for future generations.

Excellence in Parks and Recreation
A Sustainable Bonnaroo
Coffee County

Bonnaroo is a four-day music and arts festival in Manchester, which attracts 80,000 people each year. In 2009, Bonnaroo addressed product consumption, education and outreach, waste management and energy consumption in a comprehensive plan to reduce waste produced for this recreational event.

Thirty-three percent of the waste produced by the festival (by weight) was diverted from the landfill. This included 81.49 tons of commingled recycling, 19.07 tons of scrap metal, 27.18 tons of cardboard, three tons of cooking oil and 30 tons of compost – totaling nearly 161 tons diverted from the landfill.

This waste diversion, combined with education and outreach promoting sustainability, locally sourced products, on-site composting and environmentally friendly purchasing, lead to the highest amount of materials recycled in the history of the festival.

New in 2009, Bonnaroo provided re-usable water bottles for attendees to refill with free filtered water from on-site wells. Bonnaroo also retired 900 metric tons of carbon dioxide, accounting for and offsetting all emissions generated from the festival.

Excellence in Pollution Prevention
Chattanooga Green Lodging Certification Program
Hamilton County

The Chattanooga Green Lodging program has been recognized as a national model for sustainable tourism planning and is internationally recognized by Green Globe. An initiative to promote and support Chattanooga’s vision for a sustainable city, the Green Lodging program encourages hotels, bed and breakfasts and other lodging facilities and restaurants to be aware of their impact on the environment and to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, while enhancing the overall sustainability of their operations. The program provides guidance and resources that will greatly reduce impact by using proven techniques to reduce waste and, in many circumstances, save money.

Once certified, properties are encouraged to take an active role, including working with the city’s Chattanooga Green effort to increase awareness with businesses and in the community, reduce waste from operations, promote natural resource conservation and efficiency measures, as well as alternative energy deployment. The Chattanooga Green Lodging program represents a uniquely cooperative effort transcending public and private lines, providing a meaningful but achievable certification program at an affordable cost. The net result of the program can be seen at the business level as companies become more energy efficient and operating costs are reduced.

Excellence in Solid Waste Reduction
Knoxville Regional Medication Collection Program
Knox County

A task force including the Knoxville Police Department, the city of Knoxville, city and county Solid Waste, Knox County Health Department, Department of Environment and Conservation, University of Tennessee’s Academy of Student Pharmacists, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the Hallsdale-Powell Utility District, Knoxville Utility Board, Volunteer Rescue Squad and Earth Fare was created to develop a solution to medication disposal problems.

Since its inception, the program has collected more than 1,000 pounds of medication from over 600 participants at various collection events and through permanent 24-hour medication drop-off boxes located at law enforcement facilities. Also collected were more than 500 pounds of mercury thermometers and 474 pounds of medication packaging. Some unique characteristics of this program include collection of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and prescription medications, focusing on the environmental concerns of its proper disposal, as well as public safety – helping keep medication out of waters and off the streets. Today, Knox County’s efforts are being mirrored by nine separate entities across the state.

For more information

For more information about the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program, please visit www.tn.gov/environment/awards/.

The project proposes to widen SR-149 and SR-13 for an approximate distance of 3 miles. Construction along SR-149 will begin approximately 700’ east of River Road and extend to the SR-149/SR-13 intersection. Widening along SR-13 will begin just south of the SR-149/SR-13 intersection and extend to Zinc Plant Road and includes the reconstruction of the SR-13 bridge over the Cumberland River. The proposed typical section for both SR-149 and SR-13 will consist of four 12’ traffic lanes, one 12’ center turn lane, and 10’ shoulders with curb and gutter within a 104’ right-of-way.

This meeting will be held from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. during which time there will be a short presentation followed by a question and answer session. The public is invited to ask questions and make comments during the meeting. Representatives of TDOT will be present to answer questions on any aspects of the project. The public is invited to review the displays anytime within the scheduled two hours.

Plans are available for public inspection at the office of:

Mr. Shane Hester, P.E.
1200 James K. Polk Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243-0340
Phone: (615) 741-0972

Persons with a disability, who require aids or services to participate at the meeting, may contact Ms. Margaret Mahler no less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting:

Ms. Margaret Mahler or by e-mail: Margaret.Z.Mahler@tn,gov
ADA Compliance (615) 741-4984 (phone)
Tennessee Department of Transportation (615) 532-5995 (fax)
Suite 400, J.K. Polk Bldg. (615) 253-8311 TTY Relay
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243

Comment sheets will be available for attendees to submit written statements. A court reporter will also be available to receive oral statements to be included in the official project transcript. Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to these, to be included in the project transcript may be submitted within twenty-one (21) days after the meeting date to the following address:

Public Information Meeting Comments
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Suite 700, James K. Polk Building
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243-0332
Tdot.

TDOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, color, disability or national origin.

NASHVILLE, TN – Road construction won’t slow motorists down as they travel Tennessee’s highways this Memorial Day weekend. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 28th through 6:00 am on Tuesday, June 1st. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists expected to travel in the state this Memorial Day weekend.

“Motorists traveling on our roadways this holiday weekend will have no construction-related lane closures impeding their travels,” said Commissioner Nicely. “We want to keep traffic flowing so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable trip through Tennessee.”

Motorists will still encounter some long term lane closures on construction projects and for emergency repairs due to recent flooding and rockslides in the state. Reduced speed limits will be in effect. Slower speeds are necessary in work zones due to the temporary layout of the roadway and will be enforced. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500.00, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

“Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer and we want everyone to arrive at their destination safely,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole. “If you’re traveling this Memorial Day weekend, be sure to buckle up and obey all the traffic laws.”

AAA estimates 32.1 million people will travel more than 50 miles this Memorial Day holiday, reflecting a nationwide increase of 5.4% from 30.5 million in 2009. Of this number, AAA predicts that 28 million Americans will travel by car. In Tennessee, AAA projects 617,329 will travel by automobile and 37,601 by air, which is a 5.4% increase over Tennessee’s 2009 travel numbers.

For up to date travel information, visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/ or call 5-1-1 from any land-line or cell phone. TDOT is also on Twitter. For statewide travel information follow @TN511 (www.twitter.com/TN511). TDOT has multiple Twitter accounts including interstate specific accounts.

Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly. Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. TDOT advises drivers to “Know before you go!” by checking traffic conditions before leaving for your destination.

NASHVILLE, TN – If life is a highway, it’s a messy one in many parts of Tennessee, so country music super group Rascal Flatts is joining the Tennessee Department of Transportation to ask Tennesseans to do their part to clean it up by adopting a highway. Rascal Flatts members Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus are featured in a new 30 second public service announcement and on billboards across the state encouraging Tennesseans to “Show Your Pride and Adopt-A-Highway today”. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the volunteer program, encourage more participation and to remind motorists to Stop Litter in Tennessee.

In the new 30 second PSA, Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney picks up a piece of litter tossed along the side of a roadway and asks, “Think this is no big deal?”, as vocalist Gary LeVox remarks, “Think about 12 million pounds of it.”

Since the Adopt-A-Highway program’s inception in 1989, volunteers have collected more than 12 million pounds of litter from Tennessee’s roadsides. These volunteers help produce cleaner roadsides, reduce maintenance costs, and boost litter prevention awareness in the “Volunteer State.”

“The volunteers of the Adopt-A-Highway Program are essential partners in protecting and preserving the natural beauty of Tennessee,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “I hope even more Tennesseans will take the advice of Rascal Flatts and volunteer to Adopt-A-Highway today.”

The Adopt-A-Highway Program allows Tennesseans to volunteer from a business, civic group, service organization, community club, church group, environmentally-conscious group, as an individual or an entire family to help keep Tennessee roadways litter free. Volunteers “adopt” a two-mile stretch of a state route and commit to conducting four litter pick-up events during the course of one year. Hundreds of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers who work each year to keep litter off state roadways.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Each year, the state of Tennessee spends more than $11 million on litter clean-up and prevention,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “In this tough economic time, our Adopt-A-Highway volunteers not only contribute time and energy conducting litter pick-up events, they are also helping reduce state maintenance costs associated with litter clean-up.”

To volunteer for the Adopt-A-Highway Program, go to www.tn.gov/tdot/environment/beautification/adopt-a-highway.htm or contact TDOT’s Beautification Office at (615) 741-6896 for more information.