SR-8 (US-127) Corridor in Dunlap

History and Background 

The project is located in Dunlap in central Sequatchie County. US 127 bisects the city of Dunlap and serves as the city’s major transportation and commercial corridor. South of the project area, US 127 continues south to Chattanooga, and SR 28 continues southwest to Whitwell, Jasper, and South Pittsburg. To the north, US 127 provides access to SR 111, while SR 28 continues on to Pikeville.  

The campus for Sequatchie County Elementary, Middle, and High Schools is located nearby and accessed from SR 28 just south of the project area.  The current US 127 corridor design supports a vehicle thoroughfare and does not accommodate multimodal needs, including pedestrian and bicycle routes. The City of Dunlap’s vision for the corridor’s future development is to ensure it can accommodate continued and projected growth as well as the anticipated increase in the number and type of transportation users.  

The primary goals of the project, supported by a 2022 RAISE Grant from the US Department of Transportation, include promoting pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, improving mobility along US 127, reducing stormwater flooding, and improving access management while minimizing property impacts.  The RAISE Grant application from the City is available in the project documents link below. 

SR 8 (US 127) Proposed Modifications

The existing roadway within the project area is 3 lanes with shoulders, with the exception of the crossing over Coops Creek, where SR 8 tapers down to 2 lanes due to the narrow width of the existing bridge structure. The south end of the project is currently a 4-way intersection between SR 8, SR 28, and Main Street South controlled by traffic signals.  SR 8 will be reconstructed and restriped through the project area, with added curbs, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian lighting. On-street parking will remain in downtown Dunlap.  

The project includes the reconstruction of the bridge at Coops Creek, wider than the existing one to provide a continuous center lane on SR 8 and a pedestrian crossing.  Intersection control at the SR 8, SR 28, and Main Street South intersection will be converted from a signalized intersection to a one-lane peanut roundabout to improve safety, traffic flow, and provide pedestrian crossing opportunities. The design of the roundabout has been analyzed to ensure it can be safely navigated by trucks and school buses.  

Project Imagery and Visuals 

Public Involvement and Engagement

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) hosted a public informational meeting on October 23, 2025, to gather public input on the SR-8 (US-127) Corridor Optimization Project from near Main Street to Church Street in Dunlap. The meeting was held to provide the public with information about the project, including the proposed work and schedule, and to provide the public with an opportunity to comment regarding this project. Anyone with questions regarding the meeting should contact: 

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

Public Info Meeting Materials: 

Please note that the public meeting materials are available here with clarifying modifications based on questions and comments received that indicated the design intent was not fully evident.  The changed areas are surrounded by a pink cloud.

Public Notice
Grant Application
Comment Card (10/23/25)
Public Info Meeting Presentation (10/23/25)
Project Overview with Parcel Lines Roll Plot (10/23/25)
 

Key Project Milestones 

Grant Application: 2022
Environmental Document Completed on September 10, 2025
Currently: Footprint Established
Execution of USDOT Grant Agreement: December 2025 (estimated)
Begin Right-of-Way Acquisition: January 2026
Begin Construction: Early 2027 (estimated)