Road Closures on the Way as South Broad is Redeveloped

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Multiple lanes of traffic were blocked on Broad Street on Monday for a median repair beneath I-24.

Obstruction of traffic was minor, but residents can expect much larger scale projects redirecting traffic in the next couple of years.

The South Broad Redevelopment is expected to bring much more traffic to the area. To accommodate that traffic, all existing on-ramps and exits to I-24 will be replaced with a single ramp that runs parallel to the old Wheland Foundry site.

“This is a statewide or TDOT project that is helping to catalyze the Wheland Foundry/US Pipe Site. This will be an exit that is much needed. It’s going to help alleviate traffic, and make it easier to enter in the city of Chattanooga,” said Raquetta Dotley, Chattanooga City Councilwoman for District 7.

In addition to accommodating more people traveling to South Broad, the changes will also address congestion problems already causing pains in the area.

According to TDOT, the on-ramps and exits being demolished are outdated.

“If anyone has ever come up and got on 24 as if you’re going to Nashville or Lookout Valley, you know that, depending on what time you get that in that traffic, you could be sitting there for quite some time, so this is an opportunity to alleviate some of that strain on our interstate system and allow people to get to their locations sooner,” said Dotley.

The new ramp will bridge over Chestnut Street and the Wheland Foundry Riverwalk, and will allow direct access to the new businesses expected to be developed there.

“The development of those sites, and all these things that are going on around it — it’s not for people coming into the city, but it is also for the residents that are here currently. So, we want to drive that home, too, that it’s not just for people coming in but it’s for people who are here, as well,” said Dotley.