P. R. Olgiati Bridge

The P. R. Olgiati Bridge is a girder bridge spanning the Tennessee River in Chattanooga with a total length of about 1,800 feet. It carries traffic on six lanes and connects Signal Mountain and Red Bank to the city center.

Construction began in the 1950s and the bridge opened in 1959 to better connect the northern suburbs with downtown. Later it was expanded between 1999 and 2003 to handle growing traffic demands.

The bridge is named after Peter Rudolph Olgiati, a former mayor of the city, reflecting how important this traffic connection became to Chattanooga. It links communities north of the river to downtown and remains a daily part of life for many residents.

The bridge features sidewalks for pedestrians and is used by cars, trucks, and buses. It is best to avoid rush hours when crossing if you want smoother traffic flow.

Originally known as Cedar Street Bridge, it was later renamed to honor the mayor who oversaw its completion. This name change shows how the city's infrastructure became linked to its leadership.

Location: Tennessee

Official opening: 1959

GPS coordinates: 35.05780,-85.31640

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:46