Work giving MLK Boulevard a new look begins on Tuesday

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – More closures are coming to Martin Luther King Boulevard in downtown Chattanooga.

On Tuesday, the city began repaving and redesigning the busy road.

The city says the one-mile project stretches in between Georgia and Central Avenues and will take about 45 days to complete.

With the repaving, the city is redesigning the street from four lanes to just three, in an effort to slow traffic and improve pedestrian and bicycle access.

Former city councilman Yusef Hakeem tells us “What you’ll find is that the Bessie Smith Cultural Center is going to be a centerpiece for all of that.

“It is going to be an entity, a world-class entity, and I think we’re going to find that instead of being lost.”

“It would be integrated as part of this whole renovation of this renaissance that’s going to happen in this community.”

The project is expected to cost around $800,000-$900,000.

You can find more information and sign up for updates on the Chattanooga Connect website.