For many travelers, the 4th Street exits off Highway 27 are their first impression of downtown Chattanooga — and thanks to the Tennessee Interstate Conservancy, that first impression is about to get more beautiful.

The big picture

The 4th Street exits are one piece of a larger initiative called the Gateway to Chattanooga project — an effort designed to add the following along the city’s interstates:

1,000+ trees
1,300 daylilies + 1,200 blue irises
More than 4 acres of wildflowers

The goal is to encourage economic growth by creating more inviting and sustainable gateways into the city.

Where the project stands

An irrigation system was installed last fall, and planting is now complete at the 4th Street exits. The renderings in this article show what you can expect to see over the next 3-4 years. The native trees, plants, and flowers were specifically chosen for their ease of maintenance and long-term sustainability.

How you can to help

The Tennessee Interstate Conservancy hopes to expand the project to the MLK Boulevard exits, but they’ll need community support — not only to add more vegetation, but to maintain these projects for years to come. If you’d like to help, you can donate online or send donations to: 6148 Lee Highway, Suite 115, Chattanooga, TN 37421.