The City of Chattanooga Department of Public Works has announced the temporary closure of the Wilson Road bridge over Chattanooga Creek after a recent state inspection identified structural deficiencies in the aging span.
The bridge, which connects portions of Tennessee and Georgia, will be closed to all traffic beginning today. City officials said the closure is necessary to comply with safety regulations established by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
The Wilson Road bridge was built in 1962 and is 64 years old. Officials said the crossing will remain closed until repairs are completed and the structure meets state and federal safety requirements.
Public Works crews will install advance warning signs and barricades to redirect motorists away from the bridge. The City of Chattanooga is coordinating traffic control measures with the Walker County Department of Public Works, and residents are encouraged to follow posted detour routes.
City officials are currently evaluating the extent of the necessary repairs and working to determine funding sources and a project timeline. Once repairs have been completed, the bridge will undergo another inspection before being reopened to the public.
The Wilson Road bridge is one of many aging transportation structures in the Chattanooga area that provide crossings over waterways, railroads, valleys and major roadways.
The cost of repairing the bridge has not yet been determined.