Olgiati Bridge

P. R. Olgiati Bridge
The Olgiati Bridge in the 1960s
Coordinates35°03′28″N 85°18′59″W / 35.0578°N 85.3164°W / 35.0578; -85.3164
Carries8 lanes of US 27 (SR 27/SR 29)
CrossesTennessee River
LocaleChattanooga, Tennessee
Other name(s)Ol' Johnny
Named forP.R. Olgiati
Preceded byMarket Street Bridge
Followed byMarion Memorial Bridge
Characteristics
DesignGirder bridge
MaterialSteel
History
Construction end
  • November 20, 1959 (initial construction)
  • February 2003 (widening)
  • 2020 (additional widening; expected)
Statistics
Daily traffic68,831 (2018)
Location

The P. R. Olgiati Bridge, often called the "Ol' Johnny" or "Ol' Jolly", is a steel girder bridge across the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee completed in 1959. It is named for former mayor and long time political boss of Chattanooga, P.R. Olgiati. Chattanooga was a growing city during the 1950s. To expand the city and to allow more ways to cross the Tennessee River, the P. R. Olgiati Bridge was one of multiple bridges built. The route carries US 27 across the Tennessee river.