CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On Saturday, May 2, 2020, contract crews working on the U.S. 27 reconstruction project in downtown Chattanooga will shift U.S. 27 South traffic onto a new alignment between the Olgiati Bridge and I-24. The traffic shift operation will begin at 7:00 a.m. EDT and be completed by or before 7:00 p.m. EDT. Crews will begin the traffic shift at the Olgiati Bridge and work toward I-24.

As the traffic shift progresses, there will be temporary lane and ramp closures along U.S. 27 South as crews tie in the ramps to the new alignment. Detours will be posted during the temporary ramp closures.

Motorists are advised to avoid U.S. 27 South through downtown Chattanooga on Saturday. If they must travel on U.S. 27 South, motorists should exercise caution when traveling through the construction zone and pay close attention to all posted signs.

Once Saturday’s traffic shift is completed, drivers will be traveling in the final alignment of U.S. 27 South in newly constructed lanes. Traffic on U.S. 27 North will be shifted into its final alignment at a later date.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live-streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any landline or cell phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel or Chattanooga area alerts at www.twitter.com/Chattanooga511 or any of TDOT’s other Twitter pages. 

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Caltrans has announced a joint effort with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to urge drivers in the state to slow down, given a recent 87 percent increase in citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph that coincides with decreased traffic volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March 19 when the state’s stay-at-home order began to April 19, the CHP reports issuing 2,493 citations statewide for speeding more than 100 mph, as compared to 1,335 during the same period last year. This increase in citations occurred as Caltrans has measured an average decline in traffic volume on state roads of approximately 35 percent as compared to this time last year.

“Excessive speed and unsafe driving threaten everyone using our highway system,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Viewing less congested roads as an invitation to drive dangerously jeopardizes the safety of construction and maintenance crews who are working to maintain reliable access to our highways when people need it most.”

“It is alarming to see the number of citations officers are writing for excessive speeds on California roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Higher speeds can lead to much more serious injuries and significantly increase the chance of death should a crash occur. Keep yourself and those on the road around you safe. Slow down and drive at a safe, legal speed.”

California’s “Move Over” law continues to be in effect and requires all drivers to move over a lane or, if unable to do so safely, slow down when they see amber flashing lights on Caltrans vehicles, law enforcement and emergency vehicles, and tow trucks.

“Fewer cars on the road doesn’t give drivers the green light to travel over the speed limit,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “Driving at a safe speed when you must go out is one way to keep you and your family safe during this pandemic.”

Gas prices continue to drop as the nation deals with the coronavirus pandemic and Chattanooga is seeing a significant decrease at the pump.

As of today, the average gas price in Chattanooga is $1.47 per gallon. That’s over a dollar cheaper from the average this time last year. Today’s average price per gallon in Tennessee is $1.56 compared to the national average of $1.78. 

Some places in Tennessee are seeing even lower prices, like 99 cent price tag for a gallon of gas in scattered locations across the state.

Meanwhile, Tennessee Valley Authority says fuel costs have reached a record low and the overall system average fuel rate for May is about 23% lower than the three-year average May fuel cost. This is do in part to the coronavirus and mild weather.

Tunnel Boulevard

The 300 Block of Tunnel Boulevard will be closed on Friday, April 24 from 8:00AM until 3:00PM for crane removal of large trees. Detours will be posted.

Riverfront Parkway

Riverfront Parkway between Chestnut Street and E Aquarium Way will be closed beginning Friday, April 24th at 2:00PM until Sunday, April 26th at 7:00PM for crane installation and lift. Detours will be posted.

Riverfront Parkway / W 20th Street

On Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, the Hamilton County Vehicle Emission Station will be utilized for drive-thru COVID-19 testing by appointment only. Please utilize Chestnut Street or Broad Street as an alternative route as congestion is expected in the vicinity of the testing location. 

E Brainerd Surface Streets

CDOT wishes to remind residents that tornado recovery efforts continue east of Gunbarrel Road to Morris Hill Road and south of Standifer Gap Road to Davidson Road. Please keep travel to essential only to allow residents access to their properties and utility crews to continue their vital work. 

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation is joining states across the nation to ask motorists to Work with Us – move over and slow down for highway workers. TDOT will spread that message statewide during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24) in an effort to improve safety in Tennessee’s interstate and highway construction and maintenance work zones.

“Through these trying times, TDOT’s services are essential in ensuring safe travel for people, goods and services in Tennessee,” TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright said. “Although traffic flow has lessened, hundreds of TDOT employees are still working on our highways each day. We need motorists to work with us by moving over and slowing down for TDOT workers and first responders working along our interstates and state routes. We ask that motorists pay attention to signs, observe the handsfree law, reduce speed, and move over when possible.”

The spring and summer months provide perfect weather for highway work. Work zones include everything from major interstate widening projects to pothole patching and mowing. Motorists will encounter work zones across Tennessee in downtowns, along interstates and in rural areas. Last year in Tennessee, 25 people died in work zone crashes, including workers, drivers and passengers.

To help bring awareness to the importance of safety in work zones, TDOT launched the Work with Us – Move Over, Slow Down safety campaign. To learn more about the campaign, see the answers to many frequently asked questions about work zones, and take the Work with Us pledge, click on the Work with Us logo below. 

Work zone safety messages will be displayed on TDOT’s overhead Dynamic Message Signs on interstates in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville. Prominent buildings and bridges will be lighted in orange, and “Work with Us – Move Over, Slow Down” signs will be posted at work zones across the state displaying this message at various locations statewide.

This Wednesday, April 22nd, is “wear orange day”. Please show your support for National Work Zone Awareness by wearing orange. Throughout this week, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as TDOT will be posting photos, info graphics and videos to broaden awareness of the importance of driving safe and undistracted, especially through work zones.

EPB has given us their major road closures for Monday, April 20, 2020

• Jenkins Rd is southbound only from Standifer Gap to Igou Gap

• Jenkins Rd from Igou Gap to Hitchcock Rd is closed

• Igou Gap from Jenkins Rd to Morris Hill is residents only with heavy traffic control in place. 

NEW (8AM): Standifer Gap Rd closed from Jenkins Rd to Bill Reed Rd from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM while EPB replaces power poles. Law enforcement and work crews will assist residents with ingress/egress, as needed.

These three closures were already in place and still in effect today:

EPB & Tennessee Valley Authority continue replacing major lines along Jenkins Rd. Jenkins Rd is closed in its entirety, April 18 from 7AM to 11PM.

Igou Gap Rd closed from Jenkins Rd to Petty Rd April 18 from 7AM to 11PM.Gray Road closed from Jenkins to Igou Gap Rd April 18 from 7AM to 11PM. #ChattPD & work crews will assist residents as needed. 

TDOT contract crews are scheduled to begin a project to replace bridges over and on I-24 near mile marker 183 in Chattanooga. Originally built in the 1960s, the bridge on Belvoir Avenue over I-24 and the bridges on I-24 over Germantown Road will be replaced in a $32.9-million project using both traditional techniques and an innovative process called Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). ABC requires short-term, total road closures to allow crews the space to do their jobs and the freedom to work around the clock. The closures will also allow construction to be completed much quicker.

The first part of the project will be the replacement of the Belvoir Avenue Bridge over I-24, slated to begin THIS COMING MONDAY, April 20, 2020. During this work, Belvoir Avenue will be closed to traffic between the intersections of North Terrace and South Terrace. North Terrace and South Terrace will be used as detour routes during the closure. The replacement of Belvoir Avenue Bridge is tentatively slated for completion by winter 2020.

The I-24 bridges over Germantown Road will also be replaced using ABC techniques. The contractor will begin work underneath the existing bridges during the construction of the Belvoir Avenue bridge. During the spring of 2021, four weekend closure events will be utilized to complete the bridge replacements, which will detour traffic on to North and South Terrace in the immediate vicinity of Germantown Road.

The entire project is expected to be completed in August 2021.

To include the I-24 bridge replacement project work zone, the 45-m.p.h. reduced speed limit currently in place for the I‑75/I‑24 interchange modification project will be extended on I-24 to near the Fourth Avenue interchange at Exit 181. Drivers should be aware that enhanced speed enforcement will be in effect for both projects.

The Chattanooga Police Department is reporting the 8300 block of E brainerd Road from McNichol Lane to Greens Road will be closed for some time. CPD will be on scene assisting residents into the area only. All others please avoid the area.
The earlier closures on Jenkins Road are also still in place. Please advise that NO ONE needs to be in that area except for residents. CPD will still be there assisting residents into the area.

From the Chattanooga Police Department:

The section of Jenkins Road from East Brainerd Rd to Igou Gap Rd will be completely closed through Friday (4/17). Emergency vehicles will be able to get through and residents ONLY. No one else will be allowed in the area. CPD will work with residents as needed. Please be patient with crews as they work. This is to allow for a faster restoration of power to this area.