Red Bank plans lane reconfiguration, new bike lanes and striping tied to TDOT resurfacing on State Route 8

City staff presented designs and a brief video for pavement marking and lane reconfiguration on State Route 8 (Dayton Boulevard) tied to an imminent TDOT resurfacing contract, and sought a resolution to cover the city’s portion of striping and related work.

The effort matters because staff said the road geometry north and south of the intersection near the tunnel creates hazardous conditions that have contributed to collisions; the proposed striping changes aim to simplify lane configuration, provide dedicated right‑turn lanes and introduce the city’s first buffered bike lanes on both sides of Dayton Boulevard. “There is a buffer and exclusive bike lane on each side,” staff said during the presentation.

Transportation staff member Mr. Pham played a design video showing the configuration changes and described the safety rationale: the current layout can present drivers with four paths at different speeds when turning from frontage road ramps, and the new geometry reduces that to two tracked lanes plus a queuing lane. The presentation noted TDOT’s resurfacing start date (staff said the work was scheduled to begin July 20, 2025) and explained that as TDOT removes and replaces pavement marking the city will install coordinated striping to match the new geometry. Director Tate said the city’s requested funds for striping total $36,800 and that Chattanooga and TDOT worked with the same contractor (Superior Pavement) to secure pricing across the corridor.

Commissioners asked about green pavement markings at conflict points for bicycle crossings; staff said green pavement coloring was not included in the current last‑minute striping pricing and that the city would need to return to request additional funds or negotiate with the contractor to add green pavement in identified intersections later. Staff also discussed minor signal modifications needed in coordination with the city’s signal contractor and noted enhancements on the Chattanooga side of the corridor.

The presentation noted that the design and TDOT approvals are in place for much of the work but that one area north of the intersection falls outside TDOT’s jurisdiction and is a city project to be funded locally. Staff emphasized coordination with TDOT and Chattanooga and said the project would result in two bike lanes (one each direction) and improved lane consistency through the corridor. The transcript shows the striping request as Resolution 25‑18‑12; the excerpt does not include the final recorded vote on the consent agenda.

Less central details: the presenter gave brief historical context about the corridor and said the city has conducted community engagement over the past two years; staff noted the project would include resurfacing through the tunnel section and additional signage adjustments.