State Route 317 (Apison Pike)

Hamilton County

Overview

The proposed improvements for State Route 317 (Apison Pike), from Interstate 75 to East Brainerd Road, in Hamilton County, consist of reconstruction and widening for approximately 6.2 miles.

Purpose and Need

Apison Pike is an urban principal arterial roadway. The corridor provides a connection between the Chattanooga suburbs of Ooltewah, Collegedale, and Apison, as well as access to Enterprise South Industrial Park, Southern Adventist University, McKee Foods, and Collegedale Municipal Airport. The section between I-75 and East Brainerd Road serves multiple functions for commuters, businesses, and airport traffic. The condition of the existing route has resulted in negative safety and capacity issues.

The Apison Pike project is intended to improve the safety and operation of the route by correcting roadway deficiencies, improving local and regional accessibility, and increasing capacity to accommodate current and future travel demands.

Design

The majority of the existing route is a two-lane highway with negligible shoulders. The proposed design includes widening the roadway between three and five lanes, depending on location.

The project essentially follows the existing alignment, with a new interchange at I-75, new bridges over two railroad crossings, and new or upgraded intersections at Old Lee Highway, Swinyar Drive, Ooltewah-Ringgold Road, and Tallant Road. Bike lanes and sidewalks will also be part of the project.

Due to the significant size of the project, the proposed improvements will be separated into four smaller sections or phases.