Crews will start making permanent repairs at 9 a.m. Friday on the slope near the East Ridge tunnels where last week's mudslide forced the tunnels to be temporarily closed.
The area to be repaired is adjacent to the westbound tunnel - the side heading out of East Ridge toward downtown Chattanooga - which will be closed for repairs expected to be completed by April 16, according to TDOT spokesperson Jennifer Flynn.
The eastbound tunnel will remain open but drivers in the area should watch for construction vehicles, Flynn said in a statement.
"The contractor will also repair an additional slide area after they complete the first site, but the work will be done off the roadway and will not affect traffic," she said.
Traffic normally using the westbound tunnel will be detoured to Germantown Road, according to Flynn.
Traffic will be allowed to access Old Ringgold Road, but there may be delays as construction vehicles move in and out of the work area, she said. Officials said the contractor will allow emergency vehicles to access the westbound tunnel if needed.
The landslide was apparently caused by heavy rains late last week, 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. on March 17, according to Williams.
- Compiled by Ben Benton