We know many of you miss walking on the Walnut Street Bridge (we’re right there with you), so we thought we’d share an update on how renovations are coming along.

The bridge started its 18-month closure on March 17, so crews have been working on the bridge for a little less than eight months. In that time, here's what they've accomplished:

What’s complete

Spans 5 and 6 of the bridge (from Coolidge Park to Frazier Avenue) have been sandblasted and painted. You can visit Coolidge Park to get a firsthand look at the vibrant blue and white paint.
Intricate steel and woodwork have also been completed on Spans 5 and 6.

What’s happening now

Workers are installing the wood decking on the North Shore side of the bridge before moving to the downtown side. Fun fact: Alaskan Yellow Cedar wood was chosen for the deck because of its natural resistance to decay.
Now through Tuesday, Dec. 2, deck installation will require River Street in Coolidge Park to go down to one lane underneath the bridge. A temporary light was installed to help with traffic, and the sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians.
Crews are also currently working on Span 4 of the bridge.

Workers are still installing wood decking on the Coolidge Park side of the bridge. | Photo by Brian Smith via Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors

What’s to come

When crews finish painting, steel, and wood work on Span 4 (by around mid-November), they’ll move towards downtown to Spans 3, 2, and 1 for sandblasting and painting in December.
In addition to aesthetic upgrades like new decking and paint, the project includes refurbishing the main water line, installing LED lighting, and upgrading the electrical system with new cables.

Now that you know the latest, we’ll end with some good news: the Walnut Street Bridge project is on schedule and expected to be finished by September 2026 — just like originally planned.