CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - TDOT has begun a major resurfacing project on I-24 in and near downtown Chattanooga that includes some concrete roadway and bridge deck repairs. The project area is approximately 6 miles in length and begins at the Missionary Ridge Cut near South Crest Road at mile marker 183 and extends to west of Chattanooga Creek near Moccasin Bend at mile marker 177. The estimated completion date for the $5.3 million project is August 31, 2011.
Most of the work is scheduled to take place at night between the hours of 7:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays. However, there are at least eight weekends when the contractor will be allowed to have lane closures from 7 p.m. Friday night to 6 a.m. Monday morning.
This weekend, the contractor will have lane closures on I-24 East at mile marker 181.9 from Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m. through Monday, April 11 at 6 a.m. EDT. Either one lane or two lanes will be closed for removal and strengthening of the inside shoulder. Once this shoulder work is completed all three existing lanes of traffic will be shifted to the left in anticipation of removal and replacement of a 500 ft. section of failed concrete pavement the following weekend (April 15 – April 18). Two lanes of traffic will be open except between the hours of 10 p.m. - 5 a.m. when only one lane will be available.
Motorists are advised to take alternate routes if possible during the I-24 construction. If it is unavoidable to travel through the project area, please plan ahead and expect delays. TDOT asks drivers to use caution, obey the posted 45 mph speed and be alert to changing traffic conditions in the work zone. The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be on-site in the work zone to assist with traffic control as the work is being performed.
During the project, TDOT will use overhead Dynamic Message Signs located throughout the Chattanooga area and portable message boards to provide information on lane closures. Updated project information can also be found on the TDOT SmartWay website at
www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or you may call 5‑1‑1. You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets
@TN511 or Chattanooga area alerts
@Chattanooga511. Smart phone users can use the new
TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at
http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs (this feature not yet available in Chattanooga but should be soon), and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.
As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go!by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
###