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I-24/75 interchange overhaul on schedule with partial closures not expected until next year

A Cat 325F hydraulic excavator, right, works last month on preparing the ground inside the split of Interstates 24 and 75. In the background, northbound I-75 traffic readies to merge into westbound I-24. In the far background, in the upper right, southbound I-75 traffic can be seen. (Staff Photo by Robin Rudd)
A Cat 325F hydraulic excavator, right, works last month on preparing the ground inside the split of Interstates 24 and 75. In the background, northbound I-75 traffic readies to merge into westbound I-24. In the far background, in the upper right, southbound I-75 traffic can be seen. (Staff Photo by Robin Rudd) A Cat 325F hydraulic excavator, right, works last month on preparing the ground inside the split of Interstates 24 and 75. In the background, northbound I-75 traffic readies to merge into westbound I-24. In the far background, in the upper right, southbound I-75 traffic can be seen. (Staff Photo by Robin Rudd)

By Davis Lundy 4 min read

Last week, the director of Region 2 for the Tennessee Department of Transportation told 33 members of the Chamber of Commerce’s MidTown Council that the rebuild of the Interstate 75/Interstate 24 interchange at the Tennessee-Georgia state line is on schedule to meet its completion date of June 2021.

Joe Deering, who oversees TDOT operations for 24 counties in East Tennessee, told the Chamber council that 70% of the $132 million project will be completed before any lane closures take place, which isn’t expected to occur until summer/fall 2020. Geotechnical improvements are ongoing, with construction expected to begin late this fall.

An estimated 124,000 vehicles a day travel the split, which is known for its daily backups, outdated merge lanes and frequent crashes.

“This is an important project, and it is on schedule,” Deering said prior to his presentation. “It is just one of several important projects in Hamilton County. “

He outlined nine different TDOT projects either under construction or in the preliminary design phase that go from the Georgia state line near Wildwood, Georgia, to Apison Pike in Collegedale, which is entering Phase III of the two-lane highway’s widening.