Chattanooga reacts to possible renovation of Walnut Street Bridge

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A major overhaul of the Walnut Street Bridge is coming. The question is how long it will be shut down.

On Wednesday, officials updated their plans for the Green/Spaces organization. CARTA and the Chattanooga city officials told the group that the popular pedestrian bridge needs a major renovation.

This includes structural repair, deck repair and repainting.

They aren’t ready to say how long the shutdown will be, but it could be up to 18 months.

Walnut Street Bridge

News 12 talked to bridge walkers on Wednesday who say that Walnut Street Bridge has become a key part of the city.

“It could affect the pedestrians walking. It’s their relaxation time. I feel like this is why people come to Chattanooga, so hopefully they prioritize the construction,” said Chattanooga resident Diego Gutierrez.

The bridge is also a link between North Shore and the Bluff View district.

“Being new in town, it’s one of the first times I’ve had a real livable city, to be able to walk in and out of, from North Shore. And so being able to walk to and from where I live into town, and to get to all the local businesses, it has been really nice to have that access,” said resident Jaxson Ballard.

But one local even admits that the bridge, which was built in 1890, is showing its age.

“I have lived here for like 18 years, and this is my first time on this bridge. And when me and my friend were walking back from from getting ice cream, my friend almost fell from the wood,” said resident Frankie Fugent.

Planners are still figuring out how to do the work, and are not yet ready to say when the work will begin.