From Local 3 News: The city of Chattanooga is preparing for the first major renovation of the Walnut Street Bridge in decades. The pr
From Local 3 News: The city of Chattanooga is preparing for the first major renovation of the Walnut Street Bridge in decades.
The project officially kicked off Sunday, when the city posted the advertisement for bids on it.
However, the work isn’t expected to begin for awhile. Mayor Tim Kelly’s office says March 2025 is the earliest potential start date. The work is expected to take about 18 months.
According to a release from the mayor’s office, this will be the first major renovation the popular pedestrian bridge has seen in more than 30 years.
“Frankly, this work is overdue. For too long, civic leaders have kicked the can down the road and let this shining jewel of our city fall into disrepair,” said Mayor Tim Kelly.
Officials say the bridge is currently safe to use. However, there are things that can’t be fixed with routine maintenance and could pose safety concerns if left unaddressed.
The renovations aren’t just about repairs, but also improvements. The city says the project will upgrade lighting, fix electrical issues, and address other safety concerns.
The mayor’s office says the project will be funded through a combination of federal transportation dollars and city hotel-motel tax funds.
Once work starts, people won’t be able to use the bridge to cross the river. But the city will work to keep portions of it open as much as possible. Mayor Kelly’s office says there will be access to the Walnut Street Bridge for participants in major events like Ironman, 7 Bridges Marathon, and more.
The city also plans to add protected lanes to the Market Street Bridge and Veterans Memorial Bridge while the project is happening. These lanes are meant to give pedestrians and bicyclists additional ways to cross the river. Market Street is a state road, so TDOT must approve the temporary protected lanes. That approval is pending. You can see a concept drawing of the additional lanes below.
