With Friday’s opening of a new ramp to carry traffic onto northbound Interstate 75 lanes at the interchange with I-24, the current phase of Chattanooga’s “Split” project is nearing an end. But transportation officials say there are a few more improvements to come this summer before the project moves to Phase 2.
The last major Phase 1 improvement of the interchange modification will be to open a new lane on the northbound side of Interstate 75 between Exit 1 and Exit 2, according to Tennessee Department of Transportation spokeswoman Rae-Ann Bradley. The new lane will be dedicated specifically for loop ramp traffic coming from the southbound side of U.S. Highway 41/Ringgold Road onto I-75’s northbound side.
Additional improvements coming soon will be the completion of final paving, striping and signage for the entire project, as well as earthwork on various slopes throughout the interchange, Bradley said. The earthwork is not anticipated to affect traffic.
By the end of summer, Phase 1 will wrap up, Bradley said.