Icy Patches and MATA Detours: Memphis Commute Update for Thursday, Feb. 5

Morning Commute Overview

Memphis commuters are facing a mix of transit recoveries and hazardous road conditions this Thursday, February 5, 2026. While the region saw some melting during the daylight hours, the primary concern for the morning and evening drives is the refreezing of wet surfaces. Local authorities are urging caution as black ice may form on bridges, overpasses, and secondary roads where drainage is poor.

Public Transit: MATA Service Resumes

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has officially returned to full fixed-route and MATAPlus service today. However, travelers should be aware of the following adjustments:

• Route Detours: Because of remaining snow and ice on neighborhood side streets, select bus routes are operating on detours. These detours are expected to remain in place through Sunday, February 8.
• Trolley Service: All trolley lines remain suspended until further notice as crews continue to evaluate track safety and power lines.
• Ready! Service: Zone-based Ready! service is currently limited and is not expected to return to full capacity until early next week.

Commuters are encouraged to use the MATA Tracker app for real-time bus locations, as icy detours may cause minor schedule delays throughout the day.

Major Highway and Arterial Alerts

Several construction projects and emergency repairs are impacting the flow of traffic on major Memphis arteries today:

• I-240 Eastbound: Near Mile Marker 18.6, emergency pothole repairs have resulted in the closure of the right lane and shoulder. This work is ongoing and is expected to cause significant backups during the afternoon rush hour.
• I-55 Southbound: Near Mile Marker 3.6, the left lane and shoulder remain blocked due to scheduled road work. Drivers heading toward the state line should expect lane shifts.
• SR 277 (Northside): Northbound lanes are reduced to a single lane between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM for utility construction.
• US-51 (State Route 3): Ongoing construction between Log Mile 3 and 4 continues to restrict the roadway to one lane in both directions.

Evening Freeze Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a warning for tonight as temperatures are forecast to drop into the teens. Any slush or standing water from today's melting will refreeze rapidly after sunset. If you are traveling late this evening, treat all dark, wet-looking patches on the asphalt as ice. Stay safe and allow extra following distance between vehicles.