Mocs News Reporting the news that matters most to UTC
Most people get tired of the constant traffic jams around downtown Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s campus. In the Fall of 2014, the City of Chattanooga initiated and accepted a plan to reconstruct 3rd and 4thStreet. The project plans include creating a pleasing and safe round-about to keep traffic flowing constantly during the day, night and especially rush hours.
Rather than focusing solely on moving vehicles faster through the area, CDOT outlined an approach to work collaboratively with the community and stakeholders to identify opportunities for new connections to the existing neighborhoods, downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee River/ Riverwalk, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), the Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences (CSAS), as well as Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation and Erlanger Medical Center (known as the hospital district),” said the project manager, Katie Snyder.
They are exploring more direct connections to the popular Chattanooga Riverwalk, and improved, more convenient transit, pedestrian, car, and bicycle routes.
The Third-Fourth street corridor project has been estimated to cost around $24 million. “They are one step closer to reality after $8.5 million in funding was allocated in Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke’s proposed 2020 budget,” said journalist Sarah Grace Taylor.
In January of 2019, the design phase of the project began and should be finishing up soon (in early 2020). After this phase, the schedule includes the final design, right-of-way and utility coordination, and construction. The Project Manager says that stakeholders and public outreach will occur throughout the remaining phases of the project.
All of the different planning areas came together and want to mainly focus on creating economic growth defined by an active business community, with an emphasis on health, wellness, and education, and a strong sense of place.
Over time, after the round-about gets closer to being constructed, there will be more details and plans for the public to look at online to stay up to date.
