TDOT contract crews continue work on a major reconstruction project to widen U.S. 27 from the Olgiati Bridge over the Tennessee River to SR-8 (Signal Mountain Boulevard).  As Phase I construction continues on the project, the contractor will implement a new traffic pattern resulting from the closure of the Manufacturers Road entrance ramp onto U.S. 27 North and the Manning Street exit ramp from U.S. 27 North.  Both closures will take effect beginning on Wednesday evening.

The Manufacturers Road entrance ramp onto U.S. 27 North will be closed until spring 2013 to allow for construction of several retaining walls and portions of the new bridges over the railroad and Manning Street.  Motorists desiring to travel north on U.S. 27 from Manufacturers Road will be detoured to Cherokee Blvd. and provided access to U.S. 27 North through the entrance ramp on Signal Mountain Blvd.  Motorists must follow the orange “DETOUR” signs posted for this new traffic pattern. 

The Manning Street exit ramp from U.S. 27 North will be closed to allow for reconstruction of the railroad bridge.  This will be a permanent closure.  TDOT recognizes and regrets the inconvenience that these closures will impose on motorists, and thus has delayed these critical closures until absolutely necessary.  However, these closures must take place at this time to allow the project to successfully move forward. 

Also effective beginning Wednesday night, the contractor will permanently close the Whitehall Road exit ramp from U.S. 27 North.  This ramp would have been closed eventually as part of this project, but at the request of the management of The Pinnacle condominiums, the contractor has agreed to close the ramp several months early.  The Pinnacle will soon begin construction of a new parking garage that will necessitate the closure of their main entrance while the new structure is completed.  The closure of The Pinnacle’s main entrance will require all residents of The Pinnacle to enter and exit the facility using the back entrance adjacent to the exit ramp from U.S. 27 North.  In the interest of safety, it was decided to implement the permanent closure of the U.S. 27 exit ramp at this time to avoid a potential conflict with vehicles entering and exiting The Pinnacle and those exiting U.S. 27 at a higher rate of speed. THP will assist with traffic control on the project as necessary. 

The contractor for this $102.5 million project is Wright Brothers Construction Co., Inc. of Charleston, Tn.  The estimated completion date is Oct. 31, 2014.

For travel and TDOT construction information visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway or call 511 from any land-line or cellular phone.  You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets @TN511 or Chattanooga area alerts @Chattanooga511.  Smartphone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.  As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination.  Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.