Construction crews will be performing concrete repairs over the next several weekends — including this weekend — on Interstate 24 near the U.S. Highway 27 interchange, but there will be no work over the coming Labor Day holiday weekend, according to state transportation officials.
Drivers should be on the lookout for lane closures that will affect traffic, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Rae Ann Bradley said in a news release.
Work will start at 9 p.m. Friday and continue until at least 6 a.m. Monday for work on the U.S. 27 north entrance ramp to I-24 west, which will be reduced to one lane, Bradley said. Also, the South Market Street exit ramp will be closed, and traffic will access South Market from I-24 west via the Rossville Boulevard exit to reach 20th Street.
Additionally, the Broad Street and Williams Street entrance ramps to U.S. 27 north will be closed, so traffic will access U.S. 27 North at M.L. King Boulevard, Bradley said. I-24 west will be reduced to two lanes approaching the closure of the U.S. 27 north on-ramp. Traffic on I-24 east will not be affected by the work. All detours will be posted.
Tennessee Department of Transportation / This state transportation map shows detours for Broad Street and the U.S. 27 north on-ramp, and notes lane and ramp closures on U.S. 27.(READ MORE: New ramp opens linking U.S. Highway 27 to South Broad Street in Chattanooga)
"This extended lane closure allows the contractor to work continuously to expedite project delivery, minimize the overall length of time traffic is impacted and provide safer conditions for drivers and crews working in the area," Bradley said. "One lane of traffic will be maintained at all times. Open lanes will be striped accordingly. Traffic controls will be in place, and signage will be posted guiding drivers through the closure."
There will be significant delays as a result of the work, according to TDOT, and drivers are encouraged to seek an alternate route during the work.
The repair work is weather dependent, officials said, and should inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances cause delays, it will be rescheduled for a later date.
Transportation officials urge drivers to use all motorist information tools wisely and to check travel conditions before leaving for your destination.
— Compiled by Ben Benton
Tennessee Department of Transportation / This state transportation map shows detours for Market Street and the U.S. 27 off-ramp, and notes lane and ramp closures on U.S. 27.