Interstate 24 Moccasin Bend Widening
Hamilton County
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), proposes to widen a portion of Interstate 24 from the I-24 and I-59 interchange in Dade County, Georgia to near I-124 (US-27) in downtown Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee for a length of approximately 10 miles.
The project is intended to increase capacity, relieve congestion, and improve operations along the corridor by widening I-24 from the current four-lane section to six lanes. TDOT plans to construct the two portions in Tennessee, from the Georgia State Line to Browns Ferry Road, and from Browns Ferry Road to US-27, beginning in 2027.
Current Status: Preliminary engineering and environmental review are underway for all three segments.
Estimated construction start: The first two segments scheduled for construction, from the Georgia State Line to Exit 175 and from Exit 175 to I-124, are funded in TDOT’s 10-Year Project Plan to begin the construction phase in 2027. This means bringing the construction contractor on board to finalize the alternative delivery design process. On-site construction is anticipated to begin later in 2027 or 2028.
Estimated completion*: TBD
Funding Type: TDOT anticipates that a portion of this project will be funded through the Transportation Modernization Fund.
History and Background
2014 - A corridor study recommended a capacity project on I-24 within Hamilton County.
2018 - TDOT completed a more detailed Technical Report.
2027 - TDOT plans to deliver a portion of this project using the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) delivery method. The construction contractor will be selected during the design process to facilitate coordination and arrive at a design that reflects constructability constraints, based on the contractor’s experience and expertise.
Environment
TDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to identify and evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed project and to identify measures to minimize impacts for all three segments.
Key Project Milestones
| I-59 to Georgia State Line | |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Engineering | 2024 (underway) |
| Right-of-Way | TBD (awaiting funding) |
| Construction | TBD (awaiting funding) |
| Georgia State Line to Exit 175 | |
| Preliminary Engineering | 2024 (underway) |
| Right-of-Way | 2026 (projected) |
| Construction | 2027 (projected) |
| Exit 175 to I-124 | |
| Preliminary Engineering | 2024 (underway) |
| Right-of-Way | 2026 (projected) |
| Construction | 2027 (projected) |
Public Involvement and Engagement
TDOT hosted a public information meeting on July 8 and 10, 2025, to gather public input on the proposed Interstate 24 improvement project. The meetings were held at the Chattanooga Public Library, Downtown Branch and the Patten Community Center.
Public Comments about this proposed project will be accepted through August 1, 2025. Please comment
one of the following ways:
Email: TDOT.Comments@tn.gov
Phone: 1 (855) 925-2801. When prompted, enter project code 11638.
Mail: 505 Deadrick Street, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-033
Materials from the public meetings:
• July 8, 2025 - Public Meeting Presentation
• July 10, 2025 - Public Meeting Presentation
• I-24 Proposed Widening Comment Card
• I-24 Roll Plots ROW
• I-24 Moccasin Bend Public Meeting Handouts (English)
Spanish documents:
• I-24 Proposed Widening Comment Card
• I-24 Moccasin Bend Public Meeting Handouts (Spanish)
Project Contacts
Rae Anne Bradley
TDOT Region 2 Regional Communications Officer (media)
Phone: (423) 510-1164
Email: Rae-Anne.Bradley@tn.gov
Michael O’Donnell
TDOT Region 2 Project Management
Phone: (423) 634-8622
Email: Michael.Odonnell@tn.gov
*Subject to change