Work is slated to start soon on dealing with traffic backup at the East Brainerd ramp of I-75, TDOT officials said.
Bids were opened on the project for miscellaneous safety improvements from I-75 North at Exit 3A to East SR-320 (East Brainerd Road) and the contract was awarded to Highways, Inc. of Brentwood, Tn., at $608,517.
The project completion date is on or before May 31. The project is funded with Interstate Highway Safety Improvement funds, which are 90 percent federal and 10 percent state monies.
Officials said the project will:
Widen the exit ramp to two lanes
Shift the alignment of the exit ramp west about 400 feet
Tie the exit ramp into a signalized T-intersection with East Brainerd Road
Install double right turn lanes on the exit ramp
Add traffic signals
Add a skid resistant overlay on the ramp
Clear vegetation from our right-of-way for better sight distance
Jennifer Flynn of TDOT said, "The result of the project will be more storage area on the ramp and should prevent traffic from backing up onto I-75. Also, having signals at the end of the ramp should eliminate the weave movement that people now must make to turn left onto Concord Road when exiting the ramp. Improved sight distance and skid resistant pavement should also add to the safety of the area.
"Work on the project should begin after the first of February. The contractor is waiting for the poles for the traffic signal to come in. When they receive the poles, work will begin."