TDOT officials said it won't be known until next spring whether an $80 million project in downtown Chattanooga reshaping U.S. 27 from I-24 to the Olgiati Bridge is back on track.
After questions were raised about the planned design at an Urban Design Challenge forum sponsored by the Rivercity Company, TDOT Commissioner John Schroer put the brakes on the project.
Later, he and his staff met with Mayor Ron Littlefield, Rivercity's Kim White and others to discuss the work.
Jennifer Flynn of TDOT said, "Everyone is interested in keeping the project moving forward, but there were some unresolved issues with the final design on the project that needed to be addressed before the commissioner would consider its inclusion in a future 3-year transportation improvement plan to receive funding.
"The commissioner did not want to go forward with the project until there was a consensus regarding the design. The meeting went very well, and we are working with the design firm for the project (Benesch) and Chattanooga city officials to finalize the design for the project so it can go forward.
"It will be spring 2013 before we know if it is included in the next 3-year plan."
Meanwhile work continues on another major U.S. 27 project - from the Olgiati Bridge to Signal Mountain Boulevard.
It is slated for completion on or before Oct. 31, 2014.