East Ridge tunnels reopened Friday night after Wednesday landslide

Tennessee Department of Transportation crews reopened the Bachman Tunnels in East Ridge on Friday, March 19, after they were closed by a landslide Wednesday evening. / Photo from the Tennessee Department of Transportation
Tennessee Department of Transportation crews reopened the Bachman Tunnels in East Ridge on Friday, March 19, after they were closed by a landslide Wednesday evening. / Photo from the Tennessee Department of Transportation

UPDATE: The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced Friday night that crews have reopened the Bachman Tunnels in East Ridge after they were closed by a landslide Wednesday evening.

The East Ridge Fire Department helped with the final cleanup, according to a TDOT news release.

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Previous story:

A landslide apparently caused by heavy rains Wednesday evening has closed the Bachman Tunnels on Ringgold Road, according to a news release from East Ridge Fire Chief Mike Williams.

The landslide on the East Ridge side of the tunnels was reported by Lifeguard EMS at about 7 p.m., according to Williams.

East Ridge police and the East Ridge Street Department have placed barricades to block both eastbound and westbound traffic through the tunnels.

Tennessee Department of Transportation officials begin cleanup and any needed repairs on Thursday and announced that the tunnels will remain closed until further notice.

There are still signs of instability, continued water runoff and a possibility of more rain, according to an update from the department on Thursday afternoon. Crews and engineers will continue surveying the area and deciding on a best plan of action on Friday.

According to the Chattanooga Department of Transportation, the following roads are closed or have reduced lanes due to flooding from Wednesday rains:

Province/Airport

2745 Cannon Avenue

510 Ely Road

7804 East Brainerd Road

Davidson Road at Gunbarrel

5500 Miller Drive

Morris Hill at East Brainerd

Cannon at 28th

1020 W. 37th Street

3500 5th Avenue

Bass Road at East Brainerd

Shallowford Road at Jenkins

7600 Davidson Road (new flood gates activated)

420 Shawnee Trail

1900 Dodson Avenue

2911 Hamill Road

100 Central Drive

4401 N. Choctaw Drive

Gunbarell At Commons

5830 Brainerd Road

East Brainerd Road at Anderson

2600-2800 McCallie Avenue

- Compiled by Jody Park

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