Interstate 75 Interchange at Interstate 24 - Phase II

Overview

The planned improvements for Phase II of the interchange at Interstate 75 and Interstate 24 in Hamilton County will consist of the following modifications:

Interstate 24 from Germantown Road to Spring Creek Road will be widened and entrance and exit ramps to North and South Terrace will be reconfigured.

Interstate 75 from west of the CSX Railroad overpass to the East Brainerd Road interchange will be widened to five lanes.

The Interchange ramps which were reconstructed during Phase I will be resurfaced and restriped to create additional travel lanes.

The improvements will increase the safety, efficiency, and operation of the interstate, while providing congestion relief and addressing the deficiencies of the existing interchange.

Purpose and Need

The existing I-75/I-24 interchange is a heavily traveled corridor that serves Tennessee and Georgia. Both I-75 and I-24 provide a direct connection to downtown Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and other area attractions, while I-24 also serves as a direct link between I-75 and I-59.

Continued growth and increased traffic volumes along the I-75 and I-24 corridors have increased concerns for the safety of the interchange. A review of the project area revealed ramp geometry and merging distances as operational deficiencies.

Interchange modifications are necessary to increase capacity, correct merge points, and enhance ramp function. The planned design will improve the safety and operation of the interchange, while providing a facility that meets traffic demands.

Design

Phase 2 of the modification and reconstruction of the at Interstate 75 Interchange and Interstate 24 in Hamilton County consists of three segments.

Segment 1 - Interstate 24 from Germantown Road to Spring Creek Road. Existing I-24 is primarily a six-lane, controlled-access facility, separated by a concrete barrier wall with a right-of-way width of approximately 500 feet. Proposed improvements in this segment include: interstate widening; modifying the entrance and exit ramps to North and South Terrace; widening the westbound exit ramp to South Moore Road; replacing the concrete pavement with asphalt; replacing the storm drainage system, median barriers, guardrail, signing, and lighting; constructing new retaining walls and noise barriers; and replacing the South Moore Road and McBrien Road overpass bridges.

Segment 2 – Interstate 75 is primarily an eight-lane, controlled-access facility, separated by a concrete barrier wall with a variable right-of-way width of approximately 300 to 600 feet. Proposed improvements in this segment include: interstate widening; widening the East Brainerd Road to I-75 southbound entrance ramp; replacing median barriers, guardrail, signing, and lighting; rehabilitating existing concrete pavement; and replacing the I-75 bridge over the CSX railroad.

Segment 3 – Interstate-to-Interstate ramps within the Interstate 75 and Interstate 24 interchange. Ramps previously reconstructed during Phase I of the project will be resurfaced and restriped to create additional travel lanes. Overhead signs will be adjusted to match the new interchange layout.