Chattanooga Sets Oct. 3 Grand Reopening for the Walnut Street Bridge After 18-Month Overhaul

Chattanooga's Walnut Street Bridge will reopen to walkers and cyclists on Saturday, Oct. 3, city officials announced on Sept. 3, ending an 18-month closure for one of the most extensive restorations in the historic span's history. The date lands a few days later than the late-September target the city had been pointing to earlier in the summer.

The city plans a grand reopening celebration from noon to 3 p.m. that will include a ceremonial walk across the bridge, live entertainment and family activities. The bridge, which links downtown Chattanooga with the North Shore across the Tennessee River, closed on March 17, 2025.

What the crews did

According to reporting from WTVC NewsChannel 9, contractors stripped and repainted the steel structure span by span inside sealed containment areas. About 95% of the existing wood was replaced with Alaskan yellow cedar decking, and more than 200,000 pounds of steel went into the project. Crews replaced one in four load-bearing beams and nine in 10 suspension trusses, and roughly 7% of the bridge needed additional steel bracing. New wiring, period-style lighting, event outlets and security cameras were also installed.

The cost

The price tag grew along the way. The original budget in October 2024 was $35.3 million, with about $18.8 million from federal sources and more than $16 million from the hotel-motel tax. In September 2025 the city sought another $5 million, pushing the total above $40 million, and by May 2026 the figure had reached about $47 million. Mayor Tim Kelly has said federal grant money covered the additional cost without new city tax dollars, while Councilwoman Jenny Hill has noted the project ran more than 30% over budget.

For North Shore businesses that have waited more than a year for foot traffic to return, the reopening marks the end of a long detour. Residents are encouraged to check the City of Chattanooga's announcements for event details as the date approaches.

Sources: WTVC NewsChannel 9, Local 3 News.