Memphis Traffic: Citywide Pothole Repairs and I-55 Lane Closures to Impact Saturday Travel

Winter Storm Recovery: Pothole Blitz in Full Swing

Following the significant winter weather events of late January, the City of Memphis and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) have transitioned into aggressive road repair operations. As of Saturday, February 21, 2026, crews are prioritized for a "pothole blitz" across the city's major arterials and interstates. Motorists should expect slow-moving maintenance vehicles and sudden lane shifts on heavily traveled routes, including Poplar Avenue, Lamar Avenue, and the I-240 loop.

TDOT crews are currently using cold-mix asphalt to stabilize roadways as a temporary measure until temperatures remain consistently high enough for permanent hot-mix repairs. Drivers are advised to increase their following distance and stay alert for workers, as these repair teams may occupy various lanes throughout the day to address hazardous road gaps.

Major Highway and Arterial Alerts

While traffic flow remains relatively steady this Saturday morning, several ongoing projects and recent maintenance reports suggest local delays:

• I-55 Southbound: Continued roadwork is reported between Mallory Avenue and Third Street. This project has recently resulted in the closure of the right lane, causing significant bottlenecking during peak morning and afternoon hours.
• I-269 (Fayette County): Travelers heading toward or from Fayette County should be aware of a long-term bridge repair project between Mile Markers 3 and 4. This area is reduced to a single lane and is expected to remain under construction through May 2026.
• State Route 3 (Shelby County): Ongoing construction between Log Mile 3 and 4 continues to restrict traffic to one lane in both directions. Expect minor delays in this corridor.
• I-40 Eastbound: Maintenance crews have been active near the Warford Street area following recent incidents. While the left lane was previously blocked, residual rubbernecking and cleanup may slow the commute toward the I-40/I-240 interchange.

Public Transit and MATA Updates

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has confirmed that full fixed-route bus service and MATAPlus services are operational following the post-storm restoration. While the historic rail trolley lines remain under evaluation due to long-term maintenance and budget considerations, the trolley bus service resumed earlier this month and is currently running on schedule. Commuters using the Main Street corridors should find regular transit options available, though some individual route detours may still be in place due to neighborhood-level street repairs.

Navigating Your Saturday Commute

City officials encourage residents to report any significant new potholes by calling 311 or using the Memphis 311 mobile app. For issues on state-maintained highways and interstates, travelers should contact the TDOTFIX hotline at 833-TDOT-FIX. With the Memphis Grizzlies away in Miami tonight, no major congestion is expected around the FedExForum, making for a smoother-than-usual evening in the downtown district.