Tennessee: Upgrades to I-75 Fog Warning System

Knoxville TN September 17, 2006; The AP reported that Tennessee transportation officials say upgrades to a fog warning system along Interstate 75 near the site of a deadly 99 car pile-up are expected to begin next week.

Memphis-based Transcore ITS LLC was awarded the contract on August 2nd for $6.79 million dollars to improve the warning system put in place after the fiery pile-up in December 1990.

The incident was blamed on lack of visibility brought on by fog in the area near the Hiawassee River. Eleven people were killed and 50 were injured.

Tennessee Department of Transportation Jennifer Osborne said the contractor wants to get as much work as possible done on the project before the rainy season sets in.

The completion date is set for October 23rd 2007, with a three-month test period afterward.

State officials announced plans two months ago to upgrade the 16-year-old warning system. Traffic-monitoring video cameras, remote-controlled message signs, radars and fog detectors will be installed.

Law enforcement officers in the area say there have been no major fog-related crashes since the system was put in place.