State Route 317 (Apison Pike)
Hamilton County
video of planned improvements for State Route 317 (Apison Pike)
from State Route 321 (Ooltewah Ringgold Road) to east of Layton Lane
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is constructing improvements to State Route 317 (Apison Pike), from I-75 to East Brainerd Road. The improvements consist of reconstruction and widening for approximately 6.2 miles. The condition of the existing route has resulted in negative safety and capacity issues.
The Apison Pike project is intended to improve the safety and operation of the route by correcting roadway deficiencies, improving local and regional accessibility, and increasing capacity to accommodate current and future travel demands. The proposed design includes widening the roadway to between three and five lanes, depending on location. The project essentially follows the existing alignment, with a new interchange at I-75, new bridges over two railroad crossings, and new or upgraded intersections at Old Lee Highway, Swinyar Drive, Ooltewah Ringgold Road, and Tallant Road. Bike lanes and sidewalks will also be part of the project.
Due to the significant size of the project, the proposed improvements have been separated into four segments. Two of the segments are complete, and the third is currently under construction. The fourth segment, from Layton Lane to East Brainerd Road, is not currently identified for funding in TDOT's 10-Year Project Plan.
Current Status: The section between State Route 321 (Ooltewah Ringgold Road) and Layton Lane is currently under construction.
Construction start (current segment): March 2020
Estimated completion (current segment): June 2025
Traffic Impacts
Due to the size of the project currently under construction (from Ooltewah Ringgold Road to Layton Lane), the contractor will be conducting construction activities in three phases. Please note that scheduled phases are tentative and dependent on weather and project progress.
PHASE 1 – March 2020 to June 2022
- SR 317 (Apison Pike) – Two travel lanes (one lane in each direction) will remain open, but lanes will be shifted to allow for rock drape installation and utility work.
- Spalding Drive – At least one lane will remain open. Traffic will be flagged when necessary.
- Tucker Road – Traffic may be affected intermittently. Traffic will be flagged when necessary.
- Tallant Road – Two travel lanes (one in each direction) will remain open.
PHASE 2 – June 2022 to August 2023
- SR 317 (Apison Pike) – Two travel lanes (one in each direction) will remain open, but lanes will be shifted for construction. Temporary traffic signals will be placed at the intersection with Tallant Road.
- Spalding Drive – At least one lane will remain open. Traffic will be flagged when necessary.
- Tucker Road – Stop signs will be installed at the intersection with proposed Tucker Road.
- Tallant Road – Traffic will be shifted to the new alignment with a detour onto Asher Lane until the box culvert under the new Tallant Road alignment is built.
- College Drive – Traffic will be detoured to University Drive while the railroad crossing is replaced.
PHASE 3 – August 2023 to June 2025
Traffic will be shifted onto the new alignment of Apison Pike in sections, with connecting roads being used as detours as needed. Temporary traffic control, such as stop signs, will be utilized when necessary.
History and Background
Apison Pike is an urban principal arterial roadway. The corridor provides a connection between the Chattanooga suburbs of Ooltewah, Collegedale, and Apison, as well as access to Enterprise South Industrial Park, Southern Adventist University, McKee Foods, and Collegedale Municipal Airport. The section between I-75 and East Brainerd Road serves multiple functions for commuters, businesses, and airport traffic.
Because of the size of the project, improvements have been split into four segments:
| Hamilton County | ||
|---|---|---|
| Interstate 75 to Old Lee Highway |
Completed | February 2012 |
| Old Lee Highway to State Route 321 (Ooltewah Ringgold Road) |
Completed | September 2017 |
| State Route 321 (Ooltewah Ringgold Road) to Layton Lane |
Construction |
June 2025 (estimated) |
| Layton Lane to East Brainerd Road | Unknown (not identified for funding in TDOT's 10-Year Project Plan) | |
The section between Ooltewah Ringgold Road and Layton Lane will be reconstructed, shifting nearly half of the route to the north of the existing roadway. The new alignment will be a five-lane facility, allowing for two lanes in each direction with a dedicated center turn lane.
A new intersection will be built at Tallant Road with a roundabout design. A new bridge will be built over the Norfolk Southern Railroad to separate the tracks from the state route. In total, construction will include five bridges and nine walls along the route. Additionally, 4-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks will be constructed along both sides of the roadway.
Public Involvement and Engagement
TDOT to Temporarily Close Portion of Tallant Road for Apison Pike Improvement Project in Collegedale - June 25, 2020
TDOT Hold Groundbreaking on SR 317 (Apison Pike) Improvement Project in Collegdale - March 13, 2020
This website will be one of the principal means of public involvement and feedback. Public comments concerning this project can also be submitted to: TDOT.Comments@tn.gov.
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
There are no public involvement meetings scheduled at this time.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
- A Design Public Meeting was held on June 27, 2013, at Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, Tennessee, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. EDT. The purpose of the meeting was to gather input on the proposed design for the section of SR 317 from SR 321 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Road) to East Brainerd Road.
- A Public Information Meeting was held on June 16, 2011, at Collegedale Community Church, 4995 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, Tennessee, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. EDT. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an update on the design plans that were presented in February 2011 for the section of SR 317 from Old Lee Highway to SR 321 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Road).
- A Design Public Meeting was held on February 10, 2011, at Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, Tennessee, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. EDT. The purpose of the meeting was to gather input on the proposed design for the section of SR 317 from Old Lee Highway to SR 321 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Road).
- A Public Information Meeting was held on September 14, 2010, at Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, Tennessee, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. EDT. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an update on proposed improvements for the section of SR 317 from SR 321 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Road) to East Brainerd Road.
- A Public Meeting was held on September 23, 2008, at Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, Tennessee, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. EDT. The purpose of the meeting was to gather public comments on the Design-Build project for the section of SR 317 from I-75 to Old Lee Highway, including the construction of a new interchange connecting I-75 to SR 317.
- An Environmental Public Information Meeting was held on April 24, 2008, at Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, Tennessee, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. EDT. The purpose of the meeting was to gather input on the proposed design for the section of SR 317 from Old Lee Highway to SR 321 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Road).
Project Imagery & Visuals
SR 317 (Apison Pike) Planned Improvements Map JPG
To view all TDOT-produced videos, visit the SR 317 Apison Pike playlist on the TDOTnews YouTube Channel.
Project Contacts
Jeff Blevins
TDOT Region 2 Project Development Manager
Phone: 423.510.1218
Email: Jeff.Blevins@tn.gov
Rae Anne Bradley
TDOT Region 2 Community Relations Officer (media)
Phone: 423.510.1164
Email: Rae-Anne.Bradley@tn.gov