TDOT Commissioner Opens New Interchange Connector in Hamilton County

Chattanooga, Tenn. – Drivers in the East Hamilton County area now have a new, more direct way to access I-75. Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer joined federal, state and local officials today to celebrate the completion of the TDOT construction project that connects I-75 at Exit 9 to State Route 317, also known as Apison Pike. 

 

With the completion of this project, the interchange at Exit 9 (Volkswagen Drive) is now fully open, providing direct access from the rapidly-growing Collegedale and Apison areas to both I-75 and the Enterprise South Industrial Park, the site of many prominent businesses including the Volkswagen manufacturing plant and the Amazon Fulfillment Center. The connector will also provide McKee Foods Corporation, the makers of Little Debbie snack cakes and one of Hamilton County’s largest employers, a more direct alternative for their trucks to access I-75.

 

“East Hamilton County has seen tremendous growth in the past few years,” said Commissioner Schroer. “This project will ease some of the congestion in the area during peak travel times, and the new connector will be an added convenience to thousands of motorists.”

 

The project also improves and realigns the intersection of Old Lee Highway and SR-317, including the addition of traffic signals. A new 392 foot long, 5 lane bridge over the railroad tracks features sidewalks and bike lanes on each side.

 

“An important part of TDOT’s mission is to provide transportation facilities that enhance the economic growth and bring jobs to Tennessee,” added Schroer. “This project will provide increased mobility and connectivity to the numerous major industries located in this area.”

 

Wright Brothers Construction Co. Inc. from Charleston, Tennessee, began work on the $9.6 million project in September 2009. The project was the first design-build project to be done in TDOT’s twenty-four county Region Two area. In a design-build project, one contractor is responsible for all aspects of the project, which allowed for some of the project’s phases to take place concurrently. 

 

There is some minor detail work on this project that will be completed over the next several weeks.  That work will be conducted during off-peak travel hours, and should have minimal impacts on traffic flow.

 

For travel and TDOT construction information visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or call 511 from any land-line or cellular phone. You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets @TN511 or Chattanooga area alerts @Chattanooga511. Smartphone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras 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.