From NewsChannel 9: Chattanooga is part of a prime travel corridor especially from Nashville and Atlanta. Now, part of I-24 in Hamilt
From NewsChannel 9: Chattanooga is part of a prime travel corridor especially from Nashville and Atlanta.
Now, part of I-24 in Hamilton County could be experiencing more traffic and more delays for the next 15 weekends.
TDOT says they need to do concrete repairs on I-24 in Hamilton County near the split, prompting weekend lane closures over the next several weekends.
“These are concrete repairs to a stretch of roadway on Interstate 24, near the US 27 split in Hamilton County,” says TDOT representative Rae-Anne Bradley.
TDOT says contract crews will reduce various sections of I-24 from mile marker 179.1 to mile marker 178.4 to one lane for concrete repairs.
TDOT says these lane closures will be implemented on a single direction of I-24 at a time.
“So Friday evening, which is August 4th, at 9 p.m. until Monday morning, August 7th at 6 a.m., I-24 West from the US 27 North onramp, which is exit 178 to the I-24 West onramp from US 27 South, will be reduced to one lane and that will be the outside lane,” says Bradley.
TDOT says the Williams Street on-ramp to I-24 West will also be closed.
TDOT says traffic will access I-24 West via the US-27 South on-ramp.
Traffic on I-24 East will not be affected by the work.
Governor Bill Lee recently stopped for his “build with us tour” to highlight construction on Apison Pike.
“We are behind on building roads in this state. We have invested heavily, but we are behind,” says Gov. Lee.
With the 2024 approved 3 billion dollar budget, the Governor is trying to address the problems on our roads.
“Chattanooga has an area that has a huge traffic problem and congestion problem,” says Gov. Lee.
TDOT says they will consistently be working on roads in our area for nearly four months straight.
They say work will include repairs to the concrete roadway, diamond grinding to smooth the roadway surface, and other incidental work.
TDOT says this extended lane closure allows the contractor to work continuously (with the exception of concrete cure times) to expedite project delivery, minimize the overall length of time traffic is impacted, and provide safer conditions for drivers and crews working in the area.
TDOT says one lane of traffic will be maintained at all times. Open lanes will be striped accordingly. Traffic control will be in place and signage will be posted guiding drivers through the closure.
TDOT says there will be significant queuing and delays as a result of this work.
Drivers are encouraged to seek an alternate route during this time.
Bradley says the schedule could see even more delays as weather could be a factor.
“If we do have a rainy weekend or rain in the forecast, and that prompts the contractor to have to postpone that weekend’s work, then it’ll just get added on to the end,” says Bradley.
