JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Chattanooga’s iconic and historic Walnut Street Bridge is set to reopen later this year following a major and ongoing revitalization of the pedestrian bridge.
Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors recently took to social media to share the news, citing how ongoing renovations are underway and making significant progress. Currently, crews onsite at the bridge are on track of sandblasting the remaining spans of the bridge, in addition to new wood decking being fully installed within the coming weeks.
“The new wood decking is currently progressing from Span 6 toward Frazier Avenue and is expected to be finished in the coming weeks,” Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors officials shared. “Simultaneously, electrical teams are installing miles of wiring while crews secure vital water connections.”
Additionally, crews have set up airtight containment barriers across half of Span 3 to make way for sandblasting, priming and painting. The barriers allow for all work to be properly contained within the given section of the bridge, providing added safety and efficiency for the job. The bridge will also receive new Alaskan cedar wood which will be laid out across the bridge.
“As we move forward, these restoration phases will continue to advance towards downtown,” explained Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors officials.
Renovations surrounding Walnut Street Bridge first began in March 2025. At the time, the City of Chattanooga wanted to pursue revitalizing the bridge to modernize and renew its structuring, all the while retain the bridge’s general functionality and design. Upon the project starting, the entire bridge was closed off from all pedestrians and detours were since put in place for residents and visitors to follow until the project’s completion. Features for the newly renovated bridge will include new LED lighting, a refurbished water line, new decking and an upgrade electrical system. All new and refurbished material aims to not only solve deficiencies which plagued the bridge prior to the ongoing project, but also shed new life into the city’s iconic pedestrian bridge.
Photos by Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors