Jerry Burt, left, and Jose Santana with Jarrett Builders use new infrared technology to rejuvenate a section of Vine Street in preparation for this weekend’s U.S.Pro. Cycling Road Race that will feature a 102-kilometer women’s route and 165-kilometer men’s route in and around downtown Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain.A small bump in the road isn’t a big deal for someone traveling 20 mph in a car. But when it’s a pack of more than 100 cyclists speeding across uneven pavement at more than 50 mph, that small bump can turn into a major safety hazard.
For the past few weeks, Chattanooga’s traffic engineering department has been out on the roads that will form the race course in the upcoming USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships.
“Our city engineer’s office has been surveying the entire course and has scheduled improvements where needed,” Traffic Engineer John Van Winkle said.
Between the downtown circuit, the long circuit and the time trial course, the department has more than 19 miles of road to inspect and repair.
“There’s not an extreme amount of preparation, but it would be a situation where we’re looking to make sure the safety issues are taken care of,” said Eddie Tate, engineering manager for Chattanooga.