Icy Road Alerts and Limited MATA Snow Routes for Tuesday Commute

Icy Roadways and State of Emergency Extension

Memphis commuters are urged to exercise extreme caution this Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as the city continues to grapple with the aftermath of a significant winter storm. Mayor Paul Young has officially extended the State of Emergency for Memphis, citing the continued impact of severe weather on local infrastructure and the ongoing risk to public safety. While many major arteries have been treated, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has issued a critical warning regarding black ice and frozen patches. These hazards are most prevalent on overpasses, bridges, and shaded side streets across Shelby County where temperatures have struggled to rise above freezing.

MATA Transit Service Alerts

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is operating under its Expanded Snow Route protocol today. Fixed-route bus service is significantly curtailed to ensure the safety of passengers and frontline employees. If you rely on public transport for your Tuesday commute, please be aware of the following service limitations:

• Operating Hours: Fixed-route service will only run during the daylight window of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Authorized Routes: Service is limited to 13 designated snow routes: Route 1 (Union), Route 2 (Madison), Route 8 (Chelsea & Highland), Route 11 (Frayser), Route 19 (Vollintine), Route 36 (Lamar), Route 39 (South Third), Route 40 (Stage & Lauderdale), Route 42 (Crosstown), Route 50 (Poplar), Route 52 (Jackson), Route 53 (Summer), and Route 57 (Park).
• Route 39 Restriction: This route will terminate at Shelby Drive due to unsafe road conditions further south.
• Suspended Services: All Trolley lines, Ready! by MATA, and Groove On Demand services remain suspended until further notice.

MATAplus is currently prioritizing essential medical and dialysis transportation only. The William Hudson, Airways, and American Way transit centers are scheduled to remain open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to assist passengers.

Roadworks and Maintenance Delays

In addition to weather-related hazards, TDOT has mobilized crews for immediate pothole repairs following the winter storm. Motorists should anticipate intermittent lane closures as crews use cold mix asphalt to stabilize damaged sections of the interstate system. Key areas of concern include:

• I-240 Eastbound: Pothole repairs near Mile Marker 18.6 have resulted in the right lane and shoulder being blocked. This work is expected to continue through the end of the week.
• State Route 277: Northbound lanes are reduced to a single lane between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for ongoing construction.
• State Route 3: Maintenance between Log Mile 3 and 4 has reduced traffic to one lane in both the northbound and southbound directions.

Commuters are advised to allow for extra travel time and to maintain a safe following distance from maintenance vehicles. While the I-55 "Kings' Crossing" bridge remains open, drivers should be prepared for sudden slow-downs as traffic from secondary roads moves toward the major interstates to avoid icy neighborhood streets.