Progress and Challenges of Walnut Street Bridge Renovation | Local News

Construction for the Walnut Street Bridge remains on schedule, despite unforeseen structural repairs. 

The Chattanooga City Council voted Tuesday to approve an additional $5.5 million for the project, bringing its total to more than $42-million. 

So far, most painting, priming and sandblasting is complete on the Northshore section. That area, extending to Frazier Avenue, is expected to be completed by Christmas, before the entire project’s completion by September 2026. 

When removing the old wooden deck, crews discovered new structural steel issues. Built in 1890, the issues didn’t come as a total surprise, according to Brian Smith, communications and marketing director for Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors. Smith emphasized that despite the extra cost, it’s important to get the job done correctly. 

“We hoped this wouldn’t happen, but we were prepared for it,” Smith said. “While this is a change to the overall contract, it’s not really any impact on our local city budget. While it may seem like things might take a little longer, overall, that’s not going to be the case, the bridge is still planned to be completed and fully renovated by September 2026.”

While the council had to approve the use of previously allocated contingency funds, most of the project’s funding comes from federal grants and the hotel-motel tax. 

“The good thing about this is that it’s not really city money, this will have no impact on the city’s budget,” Smith said. “A lot of this is already allocated state funds, and also a reminder that we are blessed that this bridge is being paid for by federal grants, state money as well as a hotel motel tax.”

In addition to steel repairs, updated plans also include light shades and security cameras. The shades will help the city continue to meet its designation as the first National Park City. 

“That’s going to help protect some of that light pollution, so instead of just uncovered lights that shine lights everywhere, we’re going to have that skirting so that it mainly shines the lights down, and that’s something that’s actually good for our National Park City movement,” Smith said. 

Despite the progress, this weekend’s Chattanooga IRONMAN will not use the bridge for its course as previously planned.

Smith said the bridge is still safe for participants in similar athletic events to use. 

“The crews really prepare for runs that could happen across the bridge, case and point like IRONMAN, however, IRONMAN decided to run a different path this year, something new that they’re trying out, and of course we’ll welcome them back in a couple of years when that bridge is complete,” he said. 

Smith said he looks forward to seeing this Chattanooga symbol restored. 

“This is really the biggest renovation we’ve seen since almost the opening in the 70s,” he said. “We had a pretty big renovation in the 90s, but you can see the work right before your eyes. Really seeing a bridge like this restored to glory means a lot.”