We finally know the downtown impact of the Highway 27 expansion project in Chattanooga.
All sides have finally reached an agreement.
Kim White with the River City Company explained, "Everyone understands how important this project is. US 27 is so important for our city. It's also important the connections that go into the city because whatever happens is going to be there for years to come."
Six months after TDOT broke ground on the US Highway 27 expansion project, the plans are finally set.
TDOT Project Manager Ken Flynn explained, "well basically we've pulled back and said, 'Hey, we're not going to move forward with this until we have a consensus on the project.'"
So TDOT sat down with city officials on May first. Their eyes were on a finalized plan by the end of the month. But there were a lot of details that had to be hashed out.
White said, "Because the Creative Discovery Museum, they were looking at an expansion, was there an opportunity to do some things differently. And there may be some things on the city's end that we can do."
All parties now agree a flyover is needed at the Fourth Street exit.
But one victory for the River City Company is the proposed round-a-bout at ML King. It's now off the table.
White said, "We were concerned because since they did the study BlueCross has moved up on the hill. We were concerned that it really cut off the connection to the west side. So I think what they came back to the table with is a very good solution."
Flynn added, "It was about it not being pedestrian-friendly. I think we've come back now, decided that we will go with maybe a more standard-type intersection, with a signalized section so there's less area for people to have to cross through. So it will be more pedestrian-friendly."
Flynn said he expects the changes to affect the project's completion date.
It had been scheduled to wrap up in October of 20-14...
Now, officials are working on a new timetable.
