The city of Chattanooga is expanding safety measures with new school zone traffic cameras and smart streetlights. Cameras have been installed near Orchard Knob Elementary and Brainerd High to enforce the 15-mph speed limit during school hours. Beginning Monday, Oct. 6, a 30-day warning period will start, after which violators will face $50 fines.
Police Chief John Chambers said the goal is to protect children, not issue tickets. Additional school zones might be added following traffic studies.
The city has also installed five smart streetlights at key pedestrian crosswalks, providing improved lighting, video coverage and data for connected mobility. These efforts are part of Chattanooga’s broader push to enhance driver and pedestrian safety.
Red Bank lands grant for recreation space
The city of Red Bank has been awarded a Hamilton County “Leaning Into Communities” grant to help fund its first public basketball court as part of a new municipal park. The city secured the one-time matching grant of up to $250,000 to transform a city-owned parcel between City Hall and the municipal courtroom into an active recreation space.
Mayor Stefanie Dalton called the project “an incredibly exciting opportunity” that will increase residents’ access to parks by more than 50%. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2027.
Lakesite awarded TDOT grant
The city of Lakesite has received a $75,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Traffic Signal Modernization Program. The funds will be used to upgrade traffic signals at State Route 319’s intersections with Daisy Dallas Road and Dallas Hollow Road.
Lakesite previously received a similar grant that funded improvements at the same intersections, including a new traffic signal head, pedestrian signal relocation and a signal warning sign.
The modernization program, which fully funds projects up to $125,000, supports small communities in updating aging equipment such as controllers, signal heads, pedestrian push buttons and detection systems.
ChaTech honors technology leaders
The Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech) celebrated innovators and changemakers at its sixth annual Technology Excellence (TechX) Awards on Sept. 25 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Wolford Family Athletic Center. The event recognized individuals and companies for driving innovation, leadership and positive change in the region’s technology sector.
Award winners included: Vijayalakshmi Kumarasamy (AI Innovation and Tech for Good); Sheila Boyington of Thinking Media (CxO Leader of the Year); Nomad by One-off Robotics (Early Innovator); Sullivan Clarke of UT (Emerging Tech Student); EirSystems (Tech Company of the Year); Lora Taylor of Hamilton County Schools (Tech Educator of the Year); Jason Heymann of CBL Properties (Tech Marketing Excellence); and Daniela LaCelle of Unum Group (Woman in Tech Leadership).
East Ridge milling, resurfacing road begins
The city of East Ridge, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, announced that construction on the John Ross Road Resurfacing Project began Oct. 1. Milling and resurfacing are expected to begin by Oct. 15.
Talley Construction will serve as the general contractor, supported by Wright Brothers Construction, WorkZone Traffic Control and other subcontractors. Volkert is managing the project. Work will run Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with alternating lane closures, rolling roadblocks and flagging operations in place.
The contract allows for 60 days of construction, though completion is expected sooner, weather permitting.
La Paz launches career readiness program
La Paz Chattanooga has expanded its Avanzando Through College initiative with a new Career Readiness program aimed at preparing Latino students for the workforce. The program launched Sept. 5 with 19 participants, many returning from previous Avanzando cohorts.
Running through April, the series of nine workshops will focus on strengthening career skills, building confidence and creating professional connections. Curriculum is provided by UnidosUS, with guest sessions led by community partners.
La Paz, the city’s longest-serving nonprofit dedicated to supporting the Latino community, says the addition reflects its mission to guide students beyond college into successful professional paths.