Large Sinkhole Closes I-24 in Grundy County

 

Chattanooga, Tenn. – Emergency repairs are now underway on Interstate 24 at mile marker 127 near the Grundy/Coffee County line where a large sinkhole opened up in the eastbound lanes at around 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 18. The Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded a $266,960 emergency contract to Highways, Inc. today at 3:30 p.m. Central Time to repair the damaged section of I-24 immediately. TDOT hopes to complete repairs and reopen the roadway by Saturday, May 22. The sinkhole is located between mile marker 127 and exit 127 and is estimated to be 25 feet wide and 25 feet deep. Until repairs are complete, traffic will be detoured off I-24 at exit 114 to Highway 41 then to State Route 50 and back onto I-24 at exit 127.

 

Several alternate routes are available for motorists traveling from Nashville to the Chattanooga area including: I-65 south to U.S. 64, exit 14, east to I-24; I-40 east to State Route 111, exit 288, south to U.S. 27 to Chattanooga; or I-24 east to U.S. 231, exit 81, south/west to US-41A south/east to I-24 at MM-134.

 

Motorists heading to Atlanta may also take I-65 south to Birmingham then I-20 to Atlanta.

 

A detour map and map of alternate routes around this area are attached to this press release.

 

TDOT’s overhead message boards are displaying information regarding the closure to I-24 travelers in the Nashville area and TDOT has placed several portable message signs between Nashville and Coffee County. In addition, information has been placed on the Highway Advisory Radio in Nashville, on TDOT’s 511 motorist information system, TDOT SmartWay website, and on TDOT’s Twitter accounts.

 

For up to date travel information, visit the TDOT SmartWay website at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or call 5-1-1 from any cell or land line phone. TDOT is also on Twitter. For statewide travel information follow @TN511. TDOT also has multiple Twitter accounts including interstate specific accounts. For more information visit www.tn.gov/tdot/mediaroom/info.htm

 

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