Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is advising the public that road construction, including closures, on Chickamauga Battlefield’s Reeds Bridge Road will begin Monday, June 4 and will continue through September.  Once complete, construction on McFarland Gap Road will begin.

 The road closure will be completed using two phases of construction:

The first phase is scheduled to begin on June 4 and will continue through Sept. 15, weather permitting.  The project will entail asphalt resurfacing of Reeds Bridge Road from Jays Mill Road intersection to LaFayette Road intersection and parking areas, including the resurfacing of the Reeds Bridge picnic area parking lot.  During the project Reeds Bridge Road will be closed but remain open to “landlocked” residents to access their homes.  There will be no bicycle or pedestrian access throughout the process.

The second phase, weather permitting, will begin on or about Sept. 16 and continue through December. This part of the project will include asphalt resurfacing of McFarland Gap Road from LaFayette Road intersection to the White Row Road intersection and near the Battlefield Entrance sign.

The contractor will work closely with residents to maintain emergency services at all times, however drivers must be aware that Reeds Bridge Road and McFarland Gap Road will be closed with detours identified. The contractor will maintain access to “landlocked’ residents.  This closure includes bicycle and pedestrian access.  Although these roads will be closed temporarily, visitors to Chickamauga Battlefield will still be able to access the visitor center, participate in guided and self-guided tours and hike the myriad of trails located throughout the park.

"This project, made possible with funding from the Federal Highways Administration, will enable the park to reduce our deferred maintenance backlog while improving safety and the visitor experience," officials said.

For more information about this road closure, contact Donny Campbell, acting chief of Facilities Management, at 706-866-1159 x125.

For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241 or the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786.