Try these alternative routes through our region to avoid interstate gridlock this holiday
Thrive Regional Partnership delivers maps through the backroads to ease your mind and soul
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Do you dread getting stuck in a line on the interstate for your Memorial Weekend?
Thrive Regional Partnership joined the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance today in suggesting some alternative routes that could be more appealing.
So how did our local interstates become such a mess?
The Thrive Partnership says our interstate system was designed when 3 million people lived in the state. We now have 7 million with more coming.
So we’re seeing much more private and freight traffic than we used to.
“Recognizing the challenges drivers often encounter while traveling the interstates in Chattanooga, we saw an opportunity to promote these alternative routes to assist drivers in getting off the interstate,” said Susie Alcorn, executive director of the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance. “Alternative routes inherently provide beautiful scenery and a more peaceful experience while avoiding the ever-increasing interstate traffic that rides atop Chattanooga’s unique topography.”
They’ve got five alternative routes for the 16 counties in our region:
Hamilton Co Alternative Routes
— US Highway 321 & State Route 320: Ooltewah to Ringgold & Ooltewah to Downtown
— State Route 58: Downtown Chattanooga to Ooltewah through Decatur to I-40 at Kingston
— State Route 318: St. Elmo/Lookout Mtn. through Wildwood GA to I-59 near Trenton
— State Route 111 to Cookeville & to State Route 8: Cleveland through McMinnville to I-24 in Manchester
— US Highway 411: Maryville TN to I-75 near Cartersville, North of Marietta/Atlanta
“The upcoming holiday weekend surrounding Memorial Day presents the perfect opportunity for folks across the Thrive Region to discover and test scenic routes that help them not only get to enjoy a long weekend with less stress, but to prepare for summer travel volumes,” Bridgett Massengill said, “By charting the best routes for their commute to work, school, and outdoor activities, road travelers can take advantage of this weekend to spice up their routine and help improve region-wide navigation flow.”
