More Emergency Road Closures 3/26/20

The following locations are closed due to flooding:

  • NEW – Boy Scout Road between HWY 153 and Jones Creek Lane is experiencing severe flooding. Please avoid the area.
  • NEW – 7600 Davidson Road
  • Brannon Ave near Caruthers Park
  • 6721 Sandswitch Road
  • 1400 Lower Mill Road

These are the known flooding locations within city limits as of 5:00PM Wednesday, March 25th.
Please report flooded locations by dialing our 311 Service Center 8AM-5PMMon-Fri at 423-643-6311; Or if after hours/weekends, the Chattanooga Police Department Non-Emergency Number at 423-698-2525
Remember: Never attempt to cross flooded roads.

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Flooding Creates Road Closures 3-25-20

The following locations are closed due to flash flooding:

  • 3300 Brannon Ave
  • 2700 Cannon Ave
  • 6721 Sandswitch Road
  • 800 Boy Scout Road
  • 1400 Lower Mill Road

These are the known flooding locations as of 3:30PM Tuesday, March 24th. 
Please report flooded locations by dialing our 311 Service Center 8AM-5PMMon-Fri at 423-643-6311; Or if after hours/weekends, the Chattanooga Police Department Non-Emergency Number at 423-698-2525
Remember: Never attempt to cross flooded roads.

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Think Before Raising “That” Finger!

We are living in stressful times, especially lately as news of the coronavirus continues to worsen! Let’s all avoid taking out our frustrations from behind the wheel. Here are some common sense tips on how to AVOID road rage from defensivedriving.org:

While aggressive drivers are everywhere, the most dangerous road rage incidents happen when two or more drivers have aggressive responses to each other. Getting cut off in traffic can quickly escalate to further aggression if you choose to honk or gesture at another driver.

Even if you’ve been subjected to rude or aggressive driving behaviors, it’s important that you don’t respond in kind. Think twice before laying on your horn or making a rude gesture, and you can avoid provoking road rage.

Use these tips to slow down, calm down, and stay safe even with aggressive drivers on the road:

  • Practice polite driving habits: Avoid tailgating, cutting off other vehicles, speeding, weaving, leaving high beam headlights on, and erratic braking. Don’t drive in the left lane slower than the rest of traffic. Merge politely, and always err on the side of being courteous. This is smart to do not just to avoid road rage, but to make driving easier and more pleasant for every motorist.
  • Slow down: Simply let aggressive drivers go around you and typically, they will quickly be on their way.
  • Get away from aggressive drivers: If you notice a driver with aggressive behavior, get some distance between you, whether you slow down and let them get ahead or change lanes so you’re not right next to each other.
  • Don’t make rude gestures or yell at other drivers: Remember, you’re not the police, and it’s not your job to remind others how to drive, even if they’re doing a terrible job. Avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver who is trying to pick a fight.
  • Use your horn sparingly: Horns should primarily be used in emergency situations. Tap your horn lightly if you need to get a driver’s attention, and give drivers ahead of you at lights a few extra seconds of grace before honking to remind them to move through the intersection.
  • Call a road rage hotline: Many states now have aggressive driver hotlines that you can call to report aggressive drivers. Instead of confronting an aggressive driver, simply let the authorities know about their actions and how they can be found.
  • Avoid making driving a competitive sport: You’re not a race car driver — you don’t have to win on the road. In fact, winning as a regular driver is simply getting home safe. Getting worked up over a vehicle that’s cut you off or gotten in your way somehow isn’t worth it. Remember: getting home safely is more important than teaching another driver a lesson.
  • Apologize if you’ve done something wrong: If you’ve accidentally cut off another driver, braked too fast, or made some other mistake that could be offensive, simply smile and wave as an apology. This will disarm and calm most drivers.
  • Don’t drive under distress: Avoid driving if you’re angry, upset, or overtired.
  • Adjust your driving attitude: Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt. Many mistakes are unintentional and not meant as a personal offense. Consider whether responding aggressively is worth being injured or killed.
  • Have reasonable expectations about your travel time: Know when you’ll be driving in traffic, give yourself plenty of time, and don’t set unreasonable expectations for how fast you’ll get to your destination.
  • Call 911 if you’re under attack: If an aggressive driver attacks you, call 911 right away and stay on the phone with the dispatcher. Consider driving to the nearest police station, convenience store, or other public location with witnesses. Do not drive home.

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Weekend Road Closures HERE 3/13-15

Friday, March 13 / Saturday, March 14 

Southside Social Weekend Closures –  Chestnut Street between W 17th Street and W 19th Street will be closed every Friday and Saturday night from 9PM until 2AM.  This closure will be in effect through December 19, 2020

Saturday, March 14

Riverside Spring Meet Car Show –  Reggie White Blvd between W 19th Street and the First Horizon Pavilion parking lot entrance will be closed on Saturday, March 14 beginning 7AM until 8PM (after the scheduled Chattanooga Football Club game ends). 

Chattanooga Football Club – League Home Opener –  Reggie White Blvd between W 19th Street and the First Horizon Pavilion parking lot entrance will be closed on Saturday, March 14 beginning 7AM (for Riverside Spring Meet Car Show) until 8PM for the Chattanooga Football Club’s first match of the season. Match begins at 3PM

West Village Street Festival – St Patrick’s Day –  Chestnut Street between W 8th Street and MLK Blvd; W 8th Street between Pine Street and Broad Street; and Pine Street between Westin Parking Lot Entrance and MLK Blvd will be closed Saturday, March 14 from 6AM until Midnight for the West Village Street Festival celebrating St Patrick’s Day.  

St Paddy’s Party On The Parkway benefiting SoundCorps –  The westbound lane of Patten Parkway will be closed Saturday, March 14 beginning 9AM until Sunday, March 15 at 1AM. The eastbound lane of Patten Parkway continues to be closed due to construction.  

IrishFest on Station Street –  Station Street between Market Street and Rossville Ave will be closed Saturday, March 14 beginning 6AM until Sunday, March 15 at 4AM for IrishFest. 

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Stay ON The Road And OFF The Shoulder

From statefarm.com, here are a few tips to remember for driving safely in the rain…

Think. When conditions are less than ideal, drivers need to stay alert and focused on what’s going on around them.

Turn on those headlights. It’s the law in all states to turn on headlights when visibility is low, and many states also require having the headlights on when the windshield wipers are in use. 

Beware of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is the technical term for what occurs when your tires lose traction with the road due to excess water on top of the road. The result is that your vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably. It’s easy to hydroplane: all you need is one-twelfth of an inch of rain on the road and a speed of more than 35 miles per hours. If your tires have extensive wear and tear, you are more highly likely to hydroplane. You can hydroplane even if you are driving a four-wheel drive car, SUV, or truck. If you start to hydroplane, let off the accelerator slowly, and steer straight until you regain control. If your car starts to spin, turn your wheel in the direction that the vehicle is spinning, slowly. Do not turn your wheel against the direction it has begun to spin. Do not jerk the wheel sharply in one direction or the other, as you could flip your car due to over correction. 

Turn off cruise control. Ironically, on rain- or snow- slick surfaces, cruise control may cause you to lose control. You might think it’ll help you stay at one steady speed, but if you hydroplane while you’re in cruise control, your car will actually go faster.

Slow down. Just let up on the accelerator and allow more time to get to your destination.

Be extra cautious with merging lanes. Drivers should drive defensively and take precautions when passing vehicles to prevent merging collisions. 

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Marathon Weekend Road Closures

SATURDAY, MARCH 7th
Classic 150 5K Race
Race Times: 9:00 am—10:00 am
Start/Finish location: Finley Stadium
Traffic Impact:
 Main Street from Reggie White Blvd. to Central Ave. will be closed.
 W. 13th St. closed from Cowart St. to Carter St.
 Cowart St. from Main St. to W. 13th St. will be closed.
 Northbound Carter St. from Main St. to W. 13th St.
** Runners will cross Broad St. and Market St. CPD will be directing traffic as needed when runners are present. **

SATURDAY, MARCH 7th
Kid’s Fun Run
Race Times: 11:00 am—12:00 pm
Start/Finish location: Finley Stadium
Traffic Impact:
 Chestnut St. from 20th St. to W. 13th St. will be closed.
 W. 13th St. from Chestnut St. to Carter St.
 North bound Carter St. from Main St. to W. 13th St.
** Runners will cross Main St. twice and CPD will be directing traffic as needed when runners are present. ****
NOTE: PARKING WILL BE RESTRICTED IN SOME AREAS—SIGNS ARE CURRENTLY POSTED **

SUNDAY, MARCH 8th The Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon and Half Marathon
Race Start: 7:30 am
Start/Finish location: Finley Stadium
Closures:
Set Up:
 Friday 7am—Sunday 5pm: Reggie White Blvd. from 20th St. to Main St will be closed.
Sunday (3:00 am—5:00 pm for lane and road closures; heaviest im- pact between 7:00 am-2:00 pm)
 Carter St. from W Main St to W 11th St. will be closed for mass start. CPD to open southbound Carter St as last runner passes.
 W 11th St at Carter St will be closed.
 Chestnut St at W 11th St, and between W 13th St and W Main St. will be closed; W 13th from Chestnut Street to Carter St will be closed.
 Westbound traffic on E MLK Blvd will be shifted to the center lane.
 Southbound Market St from W 11th St to W 20th St will be closed for mass start. CPD to open closures as last runner passes.
 Westbound traffic on W 20th St from Broad St to Market St. CPD to reopen after the last runner passes.
 Riverfront Pkwy. from Lindsay St. to Molly Lane will be closed.
 The Barton Ave. ramp from Frazier Ave. will be closed.
 Right eastbound lane of Main St. between Riverfront Pkwy and Reggie White Blvd. will be closed.
 Right westbound lane of Main St. from Holtzclaw Ave. to Chest- nut St. will be closed.
Runners will be on the roads downtown, East/West, from Riverfront Pkwy to S. Holtzclaw Ave. and North/South from W. 20th St. to Frazier Ave.
High Impact Areas:
Market/Main Street — Market/20th Street
E MLK Blvd. — Bailey Ave./N. Holtzclaw Ave. Riverfront Pkwy/Lindsay St.
All roads and lanes will be re-opened no later than 5:00 pm, with most opening before.

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Post Nashville Tornado: How To Help

As officials in Nashville assess the damage and relief workers help people find their loved ones, Tennesseans across the middle part of the state are now left with the difficult task of rebuilding from the rubble. There are numerous ways you can help in this effort, either by giving money, donating items, or volunteering your time. Here are a few choices:

  • United Way: The local chapter has launched a relief fund for middle Tennessee. Text RELIEF2020 to 41444 or donate online.
  • Community Foundation: This group has activated the “Middle Tennessee Emergency Relief Fund.” Find it here.
  • Donate Items: If you’re in the area and want to donate items (no clothing), the Nashville Emergency Operations Center has a way to do that. Find it here.
  • Volunteer in Nashville: Potential volunteers can sign up with Hands On Nashville here.
  • Volunteer in Mt. Juliet: Potential volunteers can sign up at the local police portal here.
  • American Red Cross: The local chapter of this organization is on hand to assess needs and provide relief. It’s always looking for help. Find it here.
  • GoFundMe: The crowdfunding site has a dedicated page for all verified campaigns related to the Tennessee tornado disaster. Find it here.
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Don’t Get Caught In An Unexpected Detour!

Lots of weekday road closures happening this week. Know before you go!

2100 Riverside Drive

Beginning Monday, March 2nd through Friday, March 13th, the 2100 block of Riverside Drive will be closed between the hours of 8:00AM and 2:30PMfor sewer replacement. Detours will be posted. 

Harrison Pike at Addison Road

Harrison Pike near the intersection of Addison Road will be closed Monday, March 2nd through Tuesday, March 3rd for water main replacement. Detours will be posted.

Jersey Pike at Norfolk Southern Railroad

Jersey Pike at the Norfolk Southern Railroad grade crossing will be closed Tuesday, March 3rd for maintenance. Detours will be posted..

E 3rd Street

E 3rd Street between Wiehl Street and Hampton Street (directly in front of the Whitehall Medical Building) will be closed to all traffic on Wednesday, March 4th from 6PM until 4AM for crane installation. Detours will be posted via Central Ave, Blackford Street and Hampton Street. 

Addison Road

Addison Road between Harrison Pike and Bonny Oaks Drive will be narrowed to one lane beginning Wednesday, March 4th through Friday, April 24th for water main replacement. Two way traffic will be maintained by the use of a temporary traffic signal.  

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TDOT To Work On I-24 This Weekend

TDOT contract crews will make concrete repairs this weekend on I-24 West from mile marker 178.9 to mile marker 178.7 in lane #1 (left/fast lane). The work will begin at 8:00 p.m. this Friday and end by or before 6:00 a.m. EST. During the work, lane #1 will be closed. Lane #2 and the Williams Street on-ramp to I-24 West will remain open to traffic.

This work will consist of sawing and removing damaged concrete slabs and re-pouring them with new concrete, which will need several hours to harden enough to handle traffic. As soon as the concrete hardens enough to pass strength tests, all lanes will be reopened to traffic.

While this work takes place, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and a truck-mounted attenuator with a message board will be on site to assist with traffic control and information. Drivers are urged to obey the signage and pay close attention to changing conditions in the work zone.  

This concrete repair work is being done as part of a statewide on-call concrete repair contract. This work is weather dependent. Should weather or unforeseen circumstances postpone this work, it will be rescheduled to take place as soon as possible.

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Raining? Cancel Cruise Control!

From the National Safety Commission:

Rain presents two distinct dangers to a driver; both with essentially the same end result. After a dry spell of any period, accumulated oil, grease, and dirt on the road can create extremely slippery conditions. The roads are most dangerous just after it starts to rain when a light sheen of water is standing on the road. The oil, grease etc. rise up in a layer on top of the water creating conditions similar to ice on the road. It creates such a problem during the summer thunderstorm period in the southeast that it is referred to as “Florida ice.” After a period of heavy rain, the oil and grease will wash off the road and the slippery conditions diminish.

Heavy rain however creates a separate and equally dangerous situation. When water stands on the road, it can become deep enough that the tires can’t squeeze the water through the tread fast enough. When this happens, the tires can actually rise up on top of the water and ride across the water like water skis creating a condition known as “hydroplaning.” Hydroplaning can start at speeds as low as 35 mph and becomes especially dangerous at speeds above 55 mph. The higher the speed, the greater the chance of hydroplaning.

In either situation, the first step a driver should take to counteract skidding is to take his/her foot off the gas pedal in order to slow the car’s speed. Unless you have anti-lock brakes, you shouldn’t apply the brakes until you have the car under control and the speed is reduced. Applying the brakes in a car without anti-lock brakes only adds to the problem. Grasp the steering wheel in both hands, steer toward the direction of the skid and then steer to keep your car centered in your lane.

This is where cruise control presents a problem. Cruise control will want to keep your vehicle going at a constant speed and speed only adds to the problem. Cruise control is disabled when you step on the brakes but that is exactly what you don’t want to do in a skidding situation unless your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes. The safest thing to do when it starts to rain is to disengage the cruise control and lower your speed. Driving in the rain really requires heightened awareness and that seat-of-the-pants feel for the car. Save your cruise control for fair weather.

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