MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - 5:45pm Report - Icy roads have brought traffic to a standstill on Interstate 24 toward Nashville this afternoon. Officials have completely shut down the westbound lanes just before the South Church Street exit due to dangerous ice accumulation.

The closure comes after multiple semi-trucks became unable to navigate a hill on the slick interstate. Authorities report that several tractor-trailers have nearly jackknifed, blocking all points of passage and creating a massive bottleneck for commuters.

Alternate Routes and Emergency Response

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) troopers and Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies are currently on the scene working to coordinate the removal of the stalled vehicles. However, with ice continuing to impact road traction, there is currently no estimated time for the interstate to reopen.

Motorists traveling toward Nashville are being instructed to:

• Exit the interstate at Elam Road/Buchanan.

• Utilize U.S. Highway 41 (Manchester Highway/SE Broad Street) as the primary alternate route into Murfreesboro and toward Nashville.

Ongoing Winter Warning

The I-24 corridor is notorious for steep grades that become impassable for heavy loads during freezing rain or snow events. Local emergency agencies are advising all residents to stay off the roads if possible, as secondary routes are also experiencing significant icing.