Drivers should avoid I-24 westbound near Chattanooga

January 16, 2024

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Interstate 24 to the west of Chattanooga was chaotic Tuesday morning and into the afternoon.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol reported several crashes on I-24 Tuesday. The wrecks are due to the winter weather the Tennessee Valley has faced the past few days.

With temperatures being well below freezing, there are slick and icy spots on many outdoor surfaces, including roads. That makes for dangerous driving conditions.

The I-24 traffic backup is going both east and westbound.

I-24 traffic as of Tuesday afternoon / TDOT

According to TDOT, there was a crash on I-24 eastbound around 11 a.m. near Whiteside, Tennessee.

Two tractor trailers were leaking fuel near the South Pittsburg exit.

In addition, earlier Tuesday TDOT reported that a tractor trailer was jackknifed at mile marker 164 in Marion County.

I-24 jack-knifed tractor trailer / TDOT’s Rae Anne Bradley via X

TDOT’s Rae Anne Bradley reported to X, “MARION COUNTY: A jack-knifed tractor trailer is blocking all lanes on I-24 East at MM 164. This image is from one of our dump trucks stuck behind the crash trying to help with clearing efforts. PLEASE stay home, y’all! Our plows can’t do their job if they’re sitting in traffic.”

Bradley also said TDOT was sending ten additional trucks to help with clearing the interstates and highways.

I-24 eastbound is completely closed between Kimball and the Tennessee-Georgia line.

I-24 at the TN-GA state line / TDOT

Eastbound traffic is flowing in Lookout Valley and eastward. The eastbound lanes are nearly empty in these areas, while westbound sits at a standstill.

At 11:45 a.m., TDOT reported another wreck. This one was going westbound on I-24, also near Whiteside.

One lane is closed on I-24 westbound in this area.

But westbound traffic is backed up all the way to the junction of I-24 and Highway 27.