Walnut Street Bridge Reopens
After 18 months of restoration, the Walnut Street Bridge is open once again.
People gathered in Chattanooga Saturday to celebrate the reopening of the historic bridge and its return to the community.
The celebration included a ribbon-cutting, live entertainment, and a ceremonial walk across the bridge. Even Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has a historic connection to the landmark.
With the bridge back open, businesses on both sides of the Tennessee River are once again connected by the pedestrian crossing between downtown and Northshore.
“This is a major project, but we need to keep this bridge safe and preserve its future. Crews have replaced nearly 2 acres of decking as has been referred to over 100 tons of steel, but the Walnut Bridge is more than a crossing. It’s an important economic asset to our community, and it’s a big part. A big part of what makes Chattanooga special,” Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson said.
But the Walnut Street Bridge also holds a painful chapter in Chattanooga’s history.