Will Traffic Around the New Chattanooga Lookouts Stadium be a Strikeout or Home Run?
Written by Mary-Beth Mangrum
Thursday, August 8th 2024
An In-Depth Look
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is gearing up to welcome the new Chattanooga Lookouts Stadium, set to grace the city’s scenic South Side. As anticipation for the stadium builds, there’s one critical aspect city officials are keen to evaluate: Will nearby traffic adjustments prove to be a strikeout or a home run?
A fresh study, commissioned by the property owners of the upcoming stadium site, aims to provide insights into potential traffic patterns. It is currently underway and paints a vibrant picture of how the former U.S Pipe/Wheland Foundry site will shape up with the stadium’s arrival.
The Study: What and How?
The property owners have taken the reins on the traffic study, which is currently a work in progress. They’ve gathered considerable traffic count data, including patterns during school sessions, aiming for comprehensive results.
Working in tandem with city transportation modelers and signal teams, they aim to address potential issues on Broad Street, a popular route for interstate traffic. Collaborations with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) are also in the pipeline, given Broad Street’s state route status.
A Glance at the Future Travel Landscape
The objective isn’t just having a bustling sports stadium but an accessible one. Alongside strong car accessibility, the Chattanooga Lookouts Stadium offers plenty more in terms of transportation.
“We will have 4,000 on-site parking spaces with numerous entrances to mitigate congestion,” says City Engineer, Bill Payne. The facility aims to offer fans accessibility through a walking path that runs along the outskirts of the field, right up to the ballpark’s main gate.
Interstate Accessibility and Beyond
TDOT has erected a new exit a quarter of a mile from the stadium site, off I-24. While not a part of the stadium plan, this infrastructure development has been completed as of October 2022.
The property owners were awaiting this completion before the launch of their traffic study, setting an estimated completion goal of year’s end. Upon completion, the city will review the study will inform future traffic decisions around the new stadium.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available. This new stadium development promises to usher a fresh wave of energy into Chattanooga’s South Side and decisively shape the city’s future traffic landscape.
