Signal Mountain nearly cut off by ice and snow

Vehicles drive carefully at the intersection of W. Aquarium Way and Chestnut Street as snow falls in downtown Chattanooga, on Friday, February 20, 2015. Vehicles drive carefully at the intersection of W. Aquarium Way and Chestnut Street as snow falls in downtown Chattanooga, on Friday, February 20, 2015.

By Staff Report February 20, 2015 2 min read

Signal Mountain got plenty of snow. So much, in fact, that officials were forced to close two of the three routes off the mountain, with the third reported as nearly impassible.

Signal Mountain has been nearly choked off by snow and ice.

Officials closed the W Road earlier on Friday due to a broken water main that caused large amounts of water to flow down the road in freezing temperatures. Roberts Mill Road is also closed, according to Janice Atkinson, public information officer for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Now, reporters in the field have found that Signal Mountain Boulevard itself is nearly impassable, with many cars stranded trying to get up.

“The mountain is basically shut off at this point,” said Mark Kennedy, an editor for the Times Free Press.

Parts of Highway 58 and Hunter Road are also extremely icy and should be avoided, Atkinson warned.