TDOT Holds Ribbon Cutting on SR-317 (Apison Pike) Project in Collegedale

Chattanooga, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer joined state and local officials Wednesday to celebrate the completion of the SR-317 (Apison Pike) widening project in Collegedale, Hamilton County, Tennessee.

Work began in January 2015 on the 2.25-mile construction project from Old Lee Highway to SR-321 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Road).  During the project, Apison Pike was widened from two lanes to five lanes, including two lanes in each direction and a continuous center turn lane. 

Additionally, 4-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks were built on both sides, and a new traffic signal was installed at Swinyar Drive for easier and safer access to the Collegedale Municipal Building and the Collegedale Public Library.  The intersection of Apison Pike and Ooltewah-Ringgold Road was also widened, and the traffic signals were upgraded.

The contractor for the $24.2 million project is Wright Brothers Construction Company, Inc. of Charleston, Tennessee.

“We are extremely pleased to be here to celebrate the completion of this important project with our state and local partners and the citizens of Collegedale,” said Commissioner Schroer.  “This project will enhance safety in the area and improve accessibility for local and regional traffic.” 

TDOT has two remaining projects in development along the Apison Pike corridor, both to be funded through the IMPROVE Act.  One project will widen Apison Pike from near Ooltewah-Ringgold Road to Layton Lane (near the Collegedale Municipal Airport).  The 3.1-mile project is now in the right-of-way phase and will widen the road to five lanes, with bike lanes and sidewalks.  It also will include a large bridge over the railroad track, eliminating the current at-grade crossing.  The second project in development will widen a 0.9-mile section of Apison Pike to three lanes from Layton Lane to East Brainerd Road, including bike lanes and sidewalks.  It is currently in the design phase.  These projects will complete improvements on Apison Pike from I-75 to East Brainerd Road.

Senators Bo Watson (R-Hixson), Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) and Representatives Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah), Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga), Patsy Hazlewood (R-Signal Mtn.), JoAnne Favors (D-Chattanooga), and Marc Gravitt (R-East Ridge) represent Hamilton County in the Tennessee General Assembly.

###