I think all Chattanoogans would agree that the Walnut Street Bridge needs attention. However when I downloaded the official city app for the bridge, I immediately noticed that while we have been told that the bridge needs to be closed to all citizens and visitors for 18+ months for the rehabilitation, the thing that jumped out was that the bridge will be open for nine selected marathon/Ironman events.
This brings up questions, but most import among them is that if nine events that are questionably the most wear and tear on the deck and supporting structure can handle tens of thousands of pounding feet for the marathons, couldn’t the 18 months be condensed down to maybe 12 months if there weren’t so many ‘special openings’? After all we have other bridges that can support runners and bikers for these events.
The Walnut Street Bridge is an attraction that many businesses count on and it provides a ton of recreational options and commutes for our locals. Surely there must be other folks out there questioning the 18+ month closure (for most of us).
John Mathna
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John, you raise some great points especially in regards to whom the city government prioritizes. I do think the Walnut Street Bridge needs to be renovated. I do think while the bridge is closed traffic should be slowed down on Market and Veterans bridge.
From what I understand, state DOT has approved a lane reduction on Market which is a state route but the mayor himself is currently blocking a plan to reduce lanes on Market. We should really be considering lane reductions and traffic calming measures throughout downtown. This would actually make the city more pleasant and safer for visitors like the aforementioned Ironman competitors and families. This would also make the city much more livable for our current residents.
Byron Spencer
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My question is "why does the entire bridge need to be closed down at once?" - whether or not marathons/Ironman races are exempt.
The wooden planks that make up the surface of the bridge definitely need replacing, but keep in mind there are actually three "travel lanes" available for use. There is the wider, middle section (the original automobile travel lanes) favored by most walkers, runners, and cyclists ... but there is also a narrower, raised walkway next to the guard rails on both the east and west sides of the bridge. These narrower "lanes" are less suitable for bicycle travel, but plenty wide enough for pedestrians to cross the bridge in either direction.
It seems to me that at least one (possibly both) of the "outside lanes" could be kept open while the "middle lane" was under renovation, and vice versa. This would avoid the need to shut down the entire span for many months, maintaining continuity of a vital pedestrian link between downtown and the north shore while the project is ongoing.
Joe Dumas