Walnut Street Bridge Renovations

The Walnut Street Bridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee has a rich and layered history — a story of engineering ambition, social change, near-loss, and rebirth. Built in 1890 (completed for traffic around 1891), the bridge was designed by engineer Edwin Thacher and constructed by the Smith Bridge Company of Toledo, Ohio. When it first opened it was designed for foot and car traffic. It closed to car traffic in 1978 because of safety concerns. After a number of years of inspections and fundraising it opened in 1993 to only pedestrian traffic. When it opened in 1993 and to today it is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the country. The bridge is currently closed today for more renovations. Just a few of the things that are happening is updated electrical, replacing bad boards and a fresh coat of paint. They have had to extend the length of the closure and increase the budget for the project. Hopefully she will be back open for Summer with all the events in Coolidge Park and in Downtown Chattanooga.