As part of the I-75/I-24 interchange modification project, TDOT contract crews will shift I-75 traffic onto its permanent alignment beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday. The contractor is allowed until 6 a.m. on Monday to do this work, but they hope to complete the traffic shift before the deadline.
During the traffic shift, the two left lanes on I-75 North approaching the interchange will be closed.
Traffic wishing to access I-24 West from I-75 North will use a temporary exit ramp.
The I-75 North on-ramps from US 41/Ringgold Road at Exit 1 will also be closed during the work, and traffic will be directed to alternate routes and access either I-75 or I-24 at other locations. Due to low height clearances at the tunnels on US 41/Ringgold Road west of the Exit 1 interchange, truck traffic will be prohibited from using the tunnels as an alternate route.
Message boards will be in place to mark closures and detours, while TDOT personnel, contract crews, and law enforcement will be stationed throughout the work zone. The speed limit through the work zone will remain reduced to 45 miles per hour.
When the contractor completes this traffic shift, motorists traveling through the interchange on I-75 North will access I-24 West ramp from the right instead of the left as they have historically done. Motorists are encouraged to pay attention and follow all signs as they adjust to the new traffic pattern.
Additionally, the Tennessee Welcome Center on I-75 North will also be closed to all traffic at 9 p.m. EDT on Friday and will remain closed until May 27 so the contractor can reconstruct the Welcome Center’s access to and from I-75.
This work's schedule is contingent on the contractor completing all preparatory construction work beforehand, and it is also weather-dependent. Should preparation issues or inclement weather delay this work, the contractor will reschedule it to take place on the next available weekend.
C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc. is the contractor for the $132.6 million I-75/I-24 interchange modification project, slated for completion in late summer 2021. For more information on the project, visit the project website: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/region-2/i-75-interchange-at-i-24.html.
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