Interstate 75 Interchange at Interstate 24 - Phase II

TDOT completed Phase I improvements to the I-75/I-24 interchange in Hamilton County in the Summer of 2021. The project was completed using the design-build alternative delivery method as a cost-effective way to save time and minimize impacts to drivers. The project was successfully completed on time and on budget. Phase I extended from the Georgia state line to West of the East Brainerd Road interchange on I-75 and from Spring Creek Road to the I-75/I-24 interchange on I-24.

Phase II improvements will continue on I-24 from Spring Creek Road to Germantown Road and on I-75 from the bridge over the railroad to the East Brainerd Road exit. Specific improvements include widening both interstates, replacing existing concrete pavement along the I-24 section with asphalt, and restriping all interstate-to-interstate ramps to at least three lanes in each direction. In addition, the S. Moore Road overpass, McBrien Road overpass and bridges over the CSX railroad on I-75 will all be replaced.

Improvements to the I-75/I-24 Interchange are being constructed in two projects (phases) due to funding constraints. The Tennessee Department of Transportation does not go into debt to fund our projects, we are a pay-as-you-go state. This project was too expensive to complete under a single contract – which is why it had to be broken up into two separate projects. Phase I completed the reconstruction of the interchange itself and part of I-75 North of Chickamauga Creek. Phase I also had to meet (tie back into) existing conditions on I-24 West, which resulted in the I-75 North to I-24 West ramp being reduced to one lane prior to the Spring Creek Road underpass. Phase II will add lanes to I-75 and I-24 in both directions approaching the merge, and all interchange ramps will be widened to at least three lanes in each direction (including the I-75 North to I-24 West ramp).

Design-Build is an alternative to the traditional Design-Bid-Build project delivery method. Design-Build combines various portions of the design and construction phases into a single contract, whereas Design-Bid-Build separates design and construction into separate contracts and separate work.

Design-Build can provide a more unified flow of work from conception to completion by allowing the contractor to use innovative solutions that improve project delivery time, reduce project costs, and reduce impacts to drivers.

TDOT is utilizing the design-build concept to expedite project delivery and streamline design processes for the I-75/I-24 interchange project and is expected to save over a year of construction time compared to traditional construction methods.

The contract was awarded in November 2022, and the project will be completed using the Design-Build method. Due to the nature of the Design-Build process, design, permitting, and utility coordination are still underway for this project. Minor construction activities and preliminary bridge work is expected to begin in the Spring of 2023. Major construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2023 with an estimated completion date of late 2025.

Design work is underway, with preliminary construction of the S. Moore Road bridge over I-24 planned to start in the Spring of 2023. Major construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2023.

No, I -24 and I-75 will remain open, but temporary lane closures will be in place nightly for the duration of the project. During these lane nightly lanes closures, at least one lane will remain open in each direction on both I-24 and I-75 (Sunday through Thursday, between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time). Additionally, there will be several weekend lane closure events throughout construction. To receive information about when these events will occur, subscribe to get email updates on the project here.

Yes, entrance/exit ramps within the project limits will be temporarily closed when they undergo reconstruction. However, at least one entrance lane and one exit will remain open in each direction at all times.

No, interchange ramp closures will not occur during construction.

Interstate ramps include I-24 East to I-75 North, I-24 East to I-75 South, I-75 North to I-24 West, and I-75 South to I-24 West.

Yes, the S. Moore Road bridge over I-24 and McBrien Road bridge over I-24 will be replaced as part of this project. The contractor is allowed to completely close each bridge during their replacement. However, only one bridge will be closed at a time. During these closures, signage will be in place and traffic will be detoured around. 

The Welcome Center will not be closed as part of this project.

Yes, the contractor will be allowed to work 24 hours a day and 7 days a week throughout the duration of the project.

Yes, the work zone is expected to be noisy. Noise impacts can occur on any highway project due to typical construction activity; however, the contractor plans to use a method called “Rubblization” while rebuilding the I-24 pavement structure. This process can be noisy.

Adjacent routes may experience increased traffic volumes from motorists seeking alternatives to avoid the construction zone. Additionally, the planned weekend interstate lane closures and closures of the S. Moore Road and McBrien Road overpasses will impact adjacent routes as traffic is detoured. All planned closures and assigned detours will be posted on the project website well in advance of the work. The contractor will do everything they can to minimize impacts to drivers.

Yes.

I-24 will be widened from the Spring Creek Road overpass to S. Germantown Road underpass to match the existing lane count (four lanes in each direction).

I-24 West will be widened to six lanes at the split and tapered to four lanes at S. Moore Road (Exit 184). I-24 East will be widened to five lanes from the S. Moore Road onramp to the split.

I-75 will be widened to provide an additional travel lane (five lanes) in each direction.

The concrete barrier wall will be replaced throughout I-24 section to accommodate drainage improvements, while only portions of the I-75 concrete barrier will be replaced to accommodate some grade changes. However, directional traffic will be continuously separated by permanent or temporary concrete barriers on both I-24 and I-75 at all times.

Yes, two overpasses on I-24 will be replaced along with one interstate bridge on I-75 over the railroad.

Decorative landscaping is not included, but sod will be installed within the project limits upon completion of construction.

Yes, the construction of noise walls are included in the project. They’re planned along the I-24 corridor from McBrien Road to just West of S. Germantown Road. TDOT follows FHWA specifications and procedures in determining where noise walls should be built.

See Project Library for Noise Wall Maps

An email group will be set up for subscribers to receive important project related news, updates, and lane closure information. Sign up instructions are available on the project’s homepage.