Topic: Gerald Nicely

TDOT Adds to Winter Weather Arsenal

November 3, 2009 |

Tennessee in Motion is a monthly column by Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely

TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely

As Tennesseans enjoy the cooler temperatures and changing leaves of fall, TDOT Maintenance forces across the state are focused on the winter months ahead. Although we don’t typically see severe winters in the southeast, even small amounts of snow or ice can cripple our transportation system and create dangerous conditions for motorists. And, the wet weather pattern we’ve seen for much of 2009 makes one wonder if this could be a winter to remember.

When battling a winter weather event, time and resource limitations can be as formidable an opponent as the snow and ice that may be falling. This year, TDOT is testing a number of new weapons that all have the potential to save valuable time, manpower, and money. «Read the rest of this article»

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Keeping a watchful eye on bridges in the State of Tennessee

October 16, 2009 |

Tennessee in Motion is a monthly column by Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely

TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely

As heavy rains fall on Tennessee, TDOT’s bridge inspectors await notifications from an automated program called “Bridge Watch.” Flooding can undermine the structural integrity of certain bridges in the state, so TDOT utilizes this program to alert the department of any potential problems with bridges due to heavy rains.

The most common cause of bridge failure is the undermining of a bridge structure because of scour. Scour is the erosion of a stream or river bed due to excessive stream flow. TDOT has classified 897 bridges in Tennessee as scour-critical, which means bridges could experience a catastrophic failure or become structurally unstable as a result of a destructive flood event.

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Governor Bredesen Awards Highway Safety Grants for Montgomery County

October 16, 2009 |

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Clarksville Police Department, and Austin Peay State University all benefit from Department of Transportation Grants.

Nashville – Tennessee officials announced Wednesday that Montgomery County has been awarded a highway safety grant of $101,922 for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department to fund the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, $98,713 for the Clarksville Police Department to support the 2010 Impaired Driver Abatement Project, and $5,000 for Austin Peay State University to support high visibility law enforcement campaigns.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO) mission is to save lives and reduce injuries on Tennessee roadways through leadership, innovation, coordination, and program support in partnership with other public and private organizations. The grant awarded will be used to promote this mission.

“These highway safety grants reflect a continued commitment to work with local and state agencies to make our roadways even safer than they are today,” said Bredesen. “The funds made available through these grants will support the efforts of many local and state highway safety partners to reduce the number of people killed and injured in traffic crashes each year.” «Read the rest of this article»

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Safety partners sign plan to reduce traffic deaths in Tennessee

September 30, 2009 |

Agencies Announce New Coalition Program to Assist Senior Drivers

Nashville – Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely joined representatives from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, Department of Safety, Department of Health, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, AARP, AAA Auto Club South, and a number of other highway safety partners to sign a new Strategic Highway Safety Plan for Tennessee on Wednesday, September 30. The goal of the new plan is to reduce the number of fatalities in Tennessee by 10% by 2012.

“Working together, we have the ability to make dramatic strides in making Tennessee’s roads safer,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “As a major partner in this effort, TDOT is increasing its focus on implementing improvements that can make roadways safer, like cable barrier rail, high visibility pavement markings, and improved directional signs.”

Officials from TDOT, Department of Safety, Governor's Highway Safety Office, Department of Health, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, AARP, AAA Auto Club South, Walk/Bike Nashville and several other key safety partners pause after signing the new Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

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Clarksville Transit System to share in urban transit funding

By Turner McCullough Jr. | September 19, 2009 |

CTS to benefit from Recovery Act funds

Thursday, Governor Phil Bredesen announced that eight small urban transit agencies will receive $9.7 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding is to be used for transit services in Tennessee’s small urban areas of Bristol,  Clarksville, Cleveland, Jackson, Johnson City, Kingsport, Lakeway,  and Murfreesboro.

“Many Tennesseans, particularly those with limited mobility, already rely on public transportation for their daily needs and many others would like to see expanded transit options,” said Bredesen in the TDOT press release.  “The Recovery Act funds announced today will help our small urban transit providers in Tennessee improve service and replace aging fleets with safer, more reliable vehicles.” «Read the rest of this article»

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TDOT identifies 111 bridges for replacement or repair

By Turner McCullough Jr. | September 18, 2009 |

TDOT to fund bridge repair and replacement projects across Tennessee, including two bridges located in Montgomery County.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has identified 111 bridges across the state which will be either replaced, repaired or rehabilitated as part of a new initiative to reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges in the state.

TDOT’s Better Bridges Program is a four-year program approved in the General Assembly’s 2009 session that will issue bonds to pay for the repair or replacement of more than 200 structurally deficient bridges in the state.

TDOT has presented its list of bridges targeted for inclusion in this first year of the program to Governor Phil Bredesen and leaders of the Tennessee General Assembly. This action is required of TDOT by Public Chapter 552. Governor Bredesen stated that the projects slated for this year of the program will improve safety and reliability on more than one hundred Tennessee bridges.

The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that steel and scrap prices fell nearly 57 percent from June 2008 to June 2009. Cement prices also declined 15 percent over the same period. Governor Bredesen further stated that undertaking these projects now, rather than later, allows the state to take advantage of today’s lower construction material costs. «Read the rest of this article»

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Tennessee Airports honored with Awards of Excellence

By Turner McCullough Jr. | September 12, 2009 |

Each year the Tennessee Airport Conference plays host to recognizing those facilities, individuals and staff that have advanced the cause of safe, efficient and effective aviation in Tennessee. The conference is a function of TDOT’s Aeronautics Division. Five awards of excellence were announced at this year’s conference, which was held in Nashville.

According to TDOT’s Communications Office, Commissioner Gerald Nicely said, “Each of these winners is setting an example for others through their leadership, dedication, persistence and overall commitment to excellence.”

TDOT Aeronautics Division

The Tennessee Department of Transportation today recognized five Tennessee Airports with Awards of Excellence in aviation. The awards were presented at the 24th Annual Tennessee Airports Conference in Nashville. The Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding achievements and contributions to aviation in five categories: Airport of the Year, Most Improved Airport, Governing Body of the Year, Airport Manager of the Year, and Career Contributions to Aviation.

The Fayetteville Municipal Airport was selected as Airport of the Year. To receive this award, the airport’s commission has demonstrated a long term commitment to the operation, appearance, maintenance and level of service at their airport. «Read the rest of this article»

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No lane closures on Tennessee highways Labor Day weekend

September 4, 2009 |

TDOT Commissioner Announces No Lane Closures during Holiday Travel Period

Nashville – The Tennessee Department of Transportation is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways for the busy Labor Day holiday travel period. While AAA reports travel numbers are expected to be lower than last year, nearly a half million Tennesseans are still expected to travel by car this holiday.

Construction crews will stop all lane closure activity beginning at noon on Friday, September 4 through 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8. This will provide maximum roadway capacity for motorists traveling during the busy Labor Day holiday.

“The Labor Day holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “As thousands of people hit the road in Tennessee, we want to ensure they get to their destinations quickly and safely without road construction delays.” «Read the rest of this article»

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Portions of Chestnut Street to close for bridge replacement project

August 4, 2009 |

Clarksville’s commuters should be aware of potential traffic issues. Traffic Will Be Detoured Around Work Zone Until New Bridge Constructed

NASHVILLE - Work will begin this week on a $2 million project to replace a bridge on Chestnut Street in Nashville.  Contractors will close a portion of Chestnut Street beginning Wednesday, August 5.  Traffic will be detoured around the work zone throughout the project.  The bridge is located near the Hagan/Chestnut Street intersection and crosses over the CSX Railroad.

“This bridge is nearly 80 years old and is clearly in need of replacement,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Replacing this aging bridge will create a safer roadway and because we are utilizing Recovery Act funds for the project, will save the City of Nashville nearly $400,000 in matching funds normally required on projects like this one.” «Read the rest of this article»

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TDOT Works to Keep Motorists Informed

July 4, 2009 |

A monthly column by TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely

Famed English statesman Sir Francis Bacon once made the still-meaningful statement that knowledge is power.  However, to gain knowledge you must have access to information.  TDOT provides several ways for drivers to get traffic information, both before leaving home and while traveling in Tennessee.

TDOT SmartWay is Tennessee’s intelligent transportation system which uses advanced information technologies to improve the safety and operation of highways.  An important component of TDOT SmartWay is TN511.  Travelers anywhere in Tennessee can get information on road and travel conditions, incidents, and construction on state highways by simply calling 511 from land lines or cell phones.  Since becoming operational in August of 2006, TN511 has logged nearly two million calls.  Callers to the system can connect to 511 systems in our bordering states as well, where available.  TDOT is also utilizing the social networking tool, Twitter, to send alerts to followers about roadway conditions across the state or by region.  TDOT began utilizing the service in mid-May and currently has more than 1,000 followers. «Read the rest of this article»

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