Icy Roads and Limited Transit: Memphis Commute Update for Thursday, January 29

Winter Weather Impacts and Highway Alerts

The severe winter storm that has gripped the Mid-South continues to create significant challenges for Memphis commuters this Thursday, January 29, 2026. Following days of freezing rain and subfreezing temperatures, road conditions remain hazardous, particularly for those traveling across the state line or using major interstate corridors. Significant disruptions are reported on the southern arteries as crews work to clear ice and assist stranded motorists. While much of the route in North Mississippi remains restricted, officials have confirmed that the right lane of Northbound Interstate 55 is scheduled to reopen at 8:00 a.m. today to help alleviate the backlog of traffic near the Tennessee state line. However, the left lane remains closed, and Interstate 22 continues to face heavy restrictions, with westbound traffic being diverted at Red Banks and eastbound lanes closed at Craft Road.

MATA Limited Service and Transit Updates

For those relying on public transportation, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has activated its Winter Weather Safety Plan. To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, most standard operations remain suspended. On Thursday, MATA will operate limited "snow route" services only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Service is restricted to the following five routes:

• Route 11 (Frayser)
• Route 39 (South Third) – This route will terminate early at Shelby Drive due to icy conditions.
• Route 42 (Crosstown)
• Route 50 (Poplar)
• Route 52 (Jackson)

All other services, including the Main Street Trolley, Groove On-Demand, and the Ready! service, are suspended until further notice. The William Hudson and Airways Transit Centers will remain open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to provide shelter and travel information.

Ongoing Roadwork and Rail Recovery

Commuters should also account for ongoing maintenance that may further restrict movement. On Southbound I-55 near mile marker 3.6 in Shelby County, the left lane and shoulder remain blocked for scheduled roadwork. Additionally, regional rail providers including Union Pacific and BNSF are currently in recovery mode; while Union Pacific expects to reach full operational capacity by later today, lingering ice at intermodal facilities in Memphis may still cause minor delays in freight-related traffic areas.

Commuter Safety Advice

City officials urge all residents to avoid unnecessary travel as thousands of households in the region remain without power and temperatures stay below freezing. If you must drive, be extremely cautious on overpasses and secondary streets, which are prone to black ice. Drivers should also be alert for utility crews working near the roadways to restore power lines weighed down by ice and fallen branches.