Transportation crews from East Tennessee heading to the Midstate to assist in winter storm recovery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Tennessee Department of Transportation crews from East Tennessee are heading to the Midstate to assist state and local crews in the winter storm recovery efforts.

East Tennessee TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi said crews from Knoxville are heading to the Volunteer State’s middle region to help in areas that were hit hard by this weekend’s winter storm.

Nagi said 17 crew members, two excavators, seven salt trucks, two gradalls and two skid steers are heading to Middle Tennessee.

This weekend’s winter storm has made travel hazardous across Tennessee. Officials have cleared many roads, but temperatures are still dangerously cold, making ice likely on roadways.

Additionally, ice clinging to trees has caused many to break and fall onto roads and homes.

In Nashville, crews worked through the night to continue clearing roads. NDOT Deputy Director Phillip Jones said they have cleared over 10,000 lane miles since the storm hit this weekend.

Still, he said just before 1 p.m. that about 800 tree locations still need to be serviced.

The recovery from this weekend is an immense undertaking, and officials are asking for patience and collaboration.

Dangerous cold and ice could stick around for days as temperatures are not expected to get above freezing until Sunday.

Temperatures will struggle to get back to 20° Monday afternoon and although the area will see some sunshine, the low sun angle won’t help much in melting away snow or ice.

Officials said residents should avoid travel if possible, but if not, drivers should be extremely cautious when on the roadways.

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