Chattanooga reopens Walnut Street Bridge

Officials in Chattanooga reopened Chattanooga’s historic Walnut Street Bridge after an 18-month, $47 million renovation project. The project included 200,000 pounds of new steel, paint, a new deck, structural repairs, and LED lighting. Originally constructed in 1890, the Walnut Street Bridge connects Chattanooga’s North Shore neighborhood and downtown, spanning the Tennessee River. At 2,376 feet, it is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world and serves as a place for city festivals and events. Closed to cars in the 1978, it was originally reopened for pedestrian use in the 1990s following  a $10 million renovation funded by private citizens.