Interstate 24 Interchange at State Route 15 (Exit 134)

History and Background

The project is within Monteagle and provides access to Sewanee and Winchester to the southwest. The interchange also offers a detour route north to Pelham along US 41, which parallels I-24. Exit 127 at SR 50 is 7 miles to the northwest and Exit 135 is 1.5 miles to the east. This interchange is the last westbound exit before descending approximately 800-ft along steep grades. A rest area is present to the west and an eastbound truck inspection station is to the east.

The project team has re-evaluated the bridge Transportation Investment Report from 2020 with additional focus on interchange configuration, ramp terminal operations, multimodal users, maintenance concerns, SR-15 operations and crash history. Several recommendations are being developed to realize the vision of the Rural Interchange Improvement Program, preparing the interchange for decades to come.

SR 15 (US 41) Proposed Modifications

The existing SR 15 roadway, beginning to the west, is 3-lanes with shoulders which widens out to 4-lanes and a grassed median though the interchange before tapering back to a 3-lane curbed section which continues east. In early 2010’s the roadway between US 41 (Dixie Highway) and Dubose Street was 5-lanes prior to being restriped to remove one lane in each direction and provide a bicycle lane and additional buffer to the sidewalks.

SR 15 will be reconstructed, including curb and gutter, throughout the interchange area  The pair of bridges will be replaced with a single bridge, and the railroad bridge to the north will be demolished. Intersection control at the I-24 ramps will be converted from stop control/flashing beacon to roundabouts.

Mountain Goat Trail

The Mountain Goat Trail will be extended for the limits of the interchange project, starting near Moss Circle and continuing to US-41 (Dixie Highway), along the north side of SR-15.  The trail will be further extended east to Dubose Street by the town with a Multi-Modal Access Grant as a separate project.

Project Imagery and Visuals

Public Involvement and Engagement

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will host a public informational meeting on September 11, 2025, to gather public input on the SR-15 at I-24 Interchange Project in Marion and Grundy County, I-24 Exit 134. The meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Central time at the following location:

Monteagle City Hall
16 Dixie Lee Avene
Monteagle, TN 37356

The meeting is being held to provide the public with information about the project, including the proposed work and schedule and provide an opportunity to provide comments regarding this project. Representatives of TDOT will be available to answer questions and provide additional information. Anyone with questions regarding the meeting should contact:

Mr. Michael O’Donnell, P.E.
7512 Volkswagen Drive, Building A
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 634-8622
Michael.Odonnell@tn.gov

Persons who require a disability-related accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter, accessible materials) to participate in this meeting should contact Ms. Shanna Chevalier, ADA Coordinator, at (615) 741-0465 or via TTY 7-1-1 no less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

Written statements and other exhibits to be included regarding the project may be submitted within twenty-one (21) days after the meeting date to the following address:

Project Comments
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Suite 700, James K. Polk Building
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243-0332

TDOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, color, disability, or national origin.
 

Key Project Milestones

 Concept Complete Fall 2024

 Environmental Document Completed on June 4, 2025

                                          Right-of-Way Acquisition Began Summer 2025

                                          Construction Begin Spring 2027 (estimated)