Market Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project Set to Begin
Major rehabilitation project to close bridge for up to two years

Chattanooga, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced today that the Market Street Bridge rehabilitation project in downtown Chattanooga will get underway beginning September 18, 2005. The Market Street Bridge was constructed between the years 1914 and 1917 and is a working bascule-type draw span bridge. Because it is an historic structure, all renovations must be carried out according to historic standards.

A major portion of the project involves the removal and replacement of beams and other supporting structures. There is also a large number of repairs to be made to the structural steel composing the double-leaf bascule span (the drawbridge portion of the bridge). Because this project is a major structural renovation, it will require total closure of the bridge during construction, which may last as long as two years.

The project will also include replacing the deteriorating surface, widening the sidewalks, and improving the lighting on the bridge. The traffic lanes on the bridge will be not be widened, but the sidewalks will be widened by 18” on each side to make the bridge more pedestrian-friendly.

The $13 million contract was recently awarded to Mountain States Contractors from Durham, North Carolina. “We realize that this is a high-profile project, and the bridge has been a centerpiece in downtown Chattanooga for nearly 90 years,” stated Jerry Britton, project supervisor representing the contractor. “We will work hard to do a quality job in the most efficient manner possible.”

“We will do everything in our power to keep this project on schedule,” said TDOT Regional Director Bob Brown. “Although this will be an inconvenience to those who normally use the bridge, the city of Chattanooga will have a totally refurbished bridge that will be a great source of pride when the project is complete.”

“Though the temporary closure of the Market Street Bridge will be painful, the renovation project is absolutely necessary to maintaining this important and historic thoroughfare for generations to come,” said Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield. “We are working closely with North Shore merchants, residents and TDOT to ensure that the closure creates the least amount of inconvenience possible to our citizens.”

Detours will be posted and maintained throughout the project’s duration. The project is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2007.

Market Street Bridge on Aug. 14, 2005, the last inspection date before the rehabilitation project begins.
Market Street Bridge, a working bascule-type draw span bridge built between 1914 and 1917, is undergoing $13 million in repairs, beginning in late September 2005. Photo taken by State Photographer Phil Cicero.
The Market Street Bridge during the 21st Century Waterfront Grand Opening on May 14, 2005. Photo taken by State Photographer Phil Cicero.
Market Street Bridge is a well-known landmark in downtown Chattanooga.	Deteriorated concrete on the bridge's piers and sidewalks will be repaired during the rehabilitation project.
Supporting structures such as this column on the west face of the bridge will be either repaired or replaced during the Market Street Bridge rehabilitation project.	Deteriorated concrete along the railing.
Damage to the bridge's steel infrastructure.	This column on the west face of the Market Street Bridge shows some of the repairs needed to the supporting structures.
The Market Street Bridge motor house is a well-known sight in Chattanooga.