Construction is underway on three new sidewalks in East Chattanooga, which officials say will create safer access to homes and jobs, connect neighborhoods, and improve the City’s network of sidewalks. The Chattanooga Department of Transportation is using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to install sidewalks where none existed before along Wheeler Avenue, Wilcox Boulevard and Camden Street.
“I talk to people in neighborhoods throughout Chattanooga, and I hear over and over about the importance of a strong, connected infrastructure,” said Mayor Andy Berke. “We know sidewalks are crucial to providing access and opportunity to all our citizens, especially in highly trafficked areas like East Chattanooga where residents rely on walking as their primary means of getting to school, home and work.”
The new sidewalks on Wheeler, Wilcox and Camden help connect gaps in Chattanooga’s pedestrian transportation network, making it safer and more accessible for all users throughout the City, which is a goal of CDOT’s Pedestrian Action Plan. For people who cannot drive due to age, disability, or economic hardship as well as for children walking between home, schools, and parks, a safe, accessible pedestrian transportation network is essential.
“We know people living in this area were already using this path to get to a variety of places based on the wear pattern. With these new sidewalks, we’ll be able to provide a safe route for citizens traveling to work, to see neighbors or to the Avondale YFD Center,” said Blythe Bailey, administrator for the Chattanooga Department of Transportation.
While the new sidewalks will add about a mile to the pedestrian transportation network, the segments are vital connectors to miles of existing sidewalks running all the way through Chattanooga. The new installations will also help enhance safety in the surrounding area, where there have been 10 wrecks with injuries involving pedestrians over the past three years.
“Residents of East Chattanooga should be able to safely walk through their neighborhood to get where they need to go. Because of our focus on making this area safer and the hard work by the transportation department, people living in these neighborhoods will now be more connected to the rest of the city,” said Chattanooga City Council Chairman Moses Freeman, who represents District 8.
The routes where new sidewalks are being installed are located in both District 8 and District 9. The exact locations are:
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Camden Street from Roanoke Avenue to Dodson Avenue.
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Wilcox Boulevard from Dodson Avenue to Wheeler Avenue.
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Wheeler Avenue from Wilcox Boulevard to Citico Avenue.
“It’s important for residents of District 9 to feel safe as they are going about their day,” said Councilman Yusuf Hakeem. “I’m excited that the City is investing in East Chattanooga, not only with new capital projects like the Avondale YFD Center but now with these new sidewalks that will help protect folks as they walk to church, their jobs or to visit family.”
In preparation for construction this week, CDOT closed the east side of Wheeler Avenue between Citico Avenue and Wilcox Boulevard on Monday. As the project moves forward, partial lane closures may be necessary, but all streets in the area will remain open. Construction started on the southern end at Citico Ave, and is anticipated to last approximately three months. CDOT urges residents to watch for flaggers and equipment and to use caution when travelling through the construction zone.