Chattanooga: City will pursue federal grant for Wilcox Tunnel

photo Traffic travels Tuesday through the Wilcox Tunnel. The city of Chattanooga plans to ask for a $25 million grant from federal authorities to help rebuild the tunnel.

Council Chairman Yusuf Hakeem said the time for talk about fixing the old Wilcox Tunnel is almost over.

The issue, he said, has become tiresome since it has been around since 1990.

"We're sick and tired of being sick and tired," he said this afternoon.

Hours later the Chattanooga City Council voted 9-0 to apply for a $25 million federal transportation grant that would build a second tunnel next to the old tunnel.

The grant would also provide enough money to improve the old tunnel, which is in such disrepair people aren't allowed to enter it on foot.

The city would have to match with $22 million.

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