President’s Day Holiday Eases Morning Commute; Ongoing Roadwork Noted on Elvis Presley Boulevard

Morning Commute Overview

Today is Monday, February 16, 2026, and Memphis drivers can expect a significantly lighter morning commute than usual. With the observance of President’s Day, city, county, and federal offices are closed, along with many local schools and businesses. This reduction in workforce travel has cleared much of the typical congestion on the I-40 and I-240 loops as the morning rush begins. However, while the volume is lower, several long-term construction projects and maintenance zones remain active across the Mid-South, requiring commuter attention.

Major Highway and Interchange Updates

For those traveling through the south side of the city, the recently completed I-55 and E.H. Crump Boulevard interchange is providing much-needed relief. This major project, which replaced the old cloverleaf design with a new roundabout and multi-lane configuration, has officially moved into its post-construction phase, significantly improving the flow of traffic heading toward the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge.

Despite the improved flow at the bridge, motorists should remain alert on the I-240 East Loop. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has active maintenance zones for pothole repairs near Mile Marker 18.6 in the Airways Boulevard area. Although traffic is light today, unexpected lane shifts in this corridor can occur, so maintaining a safe following distance is highly recommended.

Surface Street Roadworks and Delays

Several primary arterial roads are currently under repair or modernization, which may slow your travel even on a holiday:

• Elvis Presley Boulevard: Expect localized delays between Shelby Drive and East Brooks Road. Ongoing roadwork in this sector involves intermittent lane reductions, impacting traffic near the Whitehaven and Graceland areas.
• Danny Thomas Boulevard: Construction activity continues near the intersection with A.W. Willis Avenue. Drivers should anticipate slower speeds and potential merging delays in this North Memphis corridor.
• State Route 277 (East Parkway/Hollywood): Northbound lanes are reduced to a single lane for utility and drainage work. While the holiday may lessen the typical bottleneck near the Binghampton area, drivers should still allow for extra travel time.

MATA and City Service Announcements

In observance of the President’s Day holiday, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is operating on a modified holiday schedule. Commuters relying on fixed-route buses should verify their specific departure times, as frequency is reduced today. Additionally, the City of Memphis has confirmed that there is no residential trash or recycling collection today; all services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

Commuter Safety Reminder

With clear skies and sunny conditions forecast for the day, visibility will be excellent across the metro area. However, the Memphis Police Department reminds drivers that speed limits in active work zones remain in effect and will be enforced despite the lighter holiday traffic volumes. Safe travels to all those heading out on the roads today.