Major North Parkway Closure Starts Today; Expect Significant Detours Near Downtown

Friday Morning Commute Overview

Memphis commuters should prepare for a significant change in traffic patterns starting this morning, Friday, February 13, 2026. While major interstates are currently flowing at typical Friday volumes, a major utility project is set to disrupt one of the primary arteries connecting Downtown and Midtown. Local transit services have stabilized following earlier winter weather disruptions, but several long-term construction zones remain active across the Bluff City.

Major Closure: North Parkway Eastbound

The most critical update for today involves a major closure announced by Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW). Starting at 8:00 a.m. today, a section of eastbound North Parkway will be closed to through traffic. This closure is necessary for the installation of new underground electric infrastructure and is expected to remain in place for approximately three months. Drivers who normally use this route to transition from the medical district toward Midtown will need to utilize the following detour:

• Eastbound Traffic: Rerouted at Manassas Street, south to Lane Avenue.
• Intermediate Route: East on Lane Avenue to Ayers Street.
• Re-entry: North on Ayers Street to return to North Parkway.

Additionally, Dunlap Street is closed to through traffic from Lane Avenue north to North Parkway. Local access will be maintained for residents and businesses within the closure zone, but through-travelers should avoid the area to prevent bottlenecking at the Manassas Street intersection.

Interstate and Highway Construction

Regional transit remains impacted by the multi-year paving and modernization plan launched by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Commuters should stay alert in the following zones:

• I-240 East Loop: Resurfacing work continues between I-40 and Poplar Avenue. Expect narrowed lanes and occasional shoulder closures during non-peak hours.
• State Route 3: Ongoing construction between Log Mile 3 and 4 continues to reduce the roadway to one lane in each direction. This project is not expected to conclude until early 2027.
• I-269 Northbound: Bridge repairs in Fayette County continue to restrict traffic to a single lane between Mile Markers 3 and 4.

Public Transit and MATA Updates

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) reports that all fixed-route and MATAPlus services are operating on a regular schedule today. The detours and snow routes necessitated by last week's winter weather have been lifted, and all transit centers have resumed normal operating hours. However, riders who use routes passing through the North Parkway area, particularly those near the medical district, should anticipate minor delays as buses navigate the MLGW detour on Lane Avenue.

Commuter Advice

With the North Parkway closure beginning mid-morning, the evening rush hour is expected to be more congested than the morning commute as drivers adjust to the new detour. Those heading east from Downtown should consider using Jackson Avenue or Union Avenue as alternatives to avoid the Manassas Street bottleneck. Always exercise caution in work zones, as crews will be active throughout the day on North Parkway.