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Mayor Corker announces Market Street Bridge construction postponed until September 2005
 3/4/2003Chattanooga, TN—Mayor Bob Corker today announced that after working closely with Commissioner Gerald Nicely, the Tennessee Department of Transportation has agreed to delay closing the Market Street Bridge for major bridge repairs until September 2005. Mayor Corker said, “Since the State announced the two year closure of the Market Street Bridge, which was scheduled for later this summer, many merchants along Frazier Avenue and the North Shore have expressed concerns related to timing. We are very grateful that Commissioner Nicely has agreed to work with us to delay this project until September 2005. With this new timing, merchants can better prepare for the closure and hopefully be the beneficiaries of a more vibrant national economy. In addition by September of 2005, all major downtown projects currently underway will be completed, which will cause better flow throughout the city.” The Market Street Bridge was previously scheduled to be closed for two years beginning in mid-summer. According to State Transportation officials, the two year delay will not be a safety risk. State Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely said, “While we have different responsibilities, the one common goal that state and local governments have is working toward the best interests of communities and we’ve don’t that be accommodating Mayor Corker’s request to adjust our timetable on the bridge.” Mayor Corker pointed out that when the rehabilitation begins on the Market Street Bridge, several major projects in the downtown, all of which will enhance travel, will be complete. The Mayor said, “Not only will merchants have more time to prepare for this project two years from now, the downtown will be better positioned to provide commuters with a variety of travel options and there will be even more reasons for people to visit the North Shore.” By May of 2005, the $120 million 21st Century Waterfront Plan, which includes a major new extension of Coolidge Park and a Wetlands Park on the north side of the river will be complete. Two additional components of the Waterfront Plan which will enhance the North Shore include a new road which completes the connection between River Street and Manufacturer’s Road and a significant increase to parking. By May of this year the Market Street streetscape work will be finished and by early Fall, the 4th Street 2-way boulevard will be complete, providing a much better connection between Veteran’s Bridge and Olgiati Bridge from downtown. By this Summer, four new intersections which will better connect Riverfront Parkway to the downtown will opened for public use. In addition by August of 2004, the Third Street Bridge is scheduled to be open for traffic and by December of 2004 the Signal Mountain Boulevard widening project will be complete. Both of those projects are being undertaken by the Department of Transportation. “We realize that road construction does cause temporary inconvenience to our citizens,” said Mayor Corker. “But we believe that the enhancements to and investment in our downtown will continue to create new opportunities for private investment as has been experienced throughout the Central Business District, in the Southside, on the Waterfront and on Frazier Avenue.” For more information, contact Todd Womack, Communications Director, at 423-757-5168 ###
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