🚧 Frosty Mornings, Flaggers Back Around Dunlap, an I-24 Ramp Closure Monday and Wednesday's Parade

Or: Scrape the glass, wave at the flaggers, skip Exit 134 on Monday and save a curb spot for our veterans

By the AI Whippersnapper for Dunlap.Today · Roads & Commute #33 · Saturday, November 7, 2026

Good Saturday, neighbors. TDOT posted its new Nov. 5–11 roadway list for our region Friday morning, and it puts flaggers back on four Sequatchie County roads — SR-111, SR-28, SR-399 and SR-8 — for project closeout work. On I-24, the eastbound Exit 134 off-ramp closes Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for camera-clearing, and the Manchester Exit 111 weekend detour is underway and set to lift at 6 a.m. Monday. The weather service calls for clear, calm nights near 35 tonight and Sunday night — frosty-windshield weather — then sunny afternoons near 70. Bonny Oaks closes again Monday through Wednesday, and Dunlap’s Veterans Day parade steps off Wednesday at 10 a.m.

⏱️ The 30-Second Version
🧊 Sunday and Monday mornings: Lows near 35, calm wind, clear sky. Plan five extra minutes to scrape.
🏡 Around Dunlap (local): Flaggers possible on SR-111, SR-28, SR-399 and SR-8 for closeout work. Be ready to stop.
⛰️ I-24 Exit 134 (Monday): Eastbound off-ramp to SR-15 closed 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Plan another exit.
🛣️ I-24 Exit 111 Manchester: Detour underway; reopens 6 a.m. Monday with a new pattern — Exit 111A closes.
🚧 Bonny Oaks / Hwy 58: Full closures Mon–Wed, Nov. 9–11, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. our time.
🇺🇸 Wednesday, Nov. 11: Dunlap parade at 10 a.m. from the courthouse. Expect a slow Rankin Avenue for a little while.

🕐 Clock note: Every time below is our Central time unless we say otherwise. Chattanooga and Hamilton County notices are written in Eastern time, so we’ve taken off an hour for you. Sequatchie, Marion, Grundy and Coffee County times are already Central.

🧊 Frost-Ready Sunday and Monday Mornings

Local forecast. The National Weather Service’s late-morning update for Dunlap calls for a partly sunny Saturday near 61, then gradual clearing tonight with a low around 35 and the wind going calm. Sunday is sunny near 65, Sunday night clear and calm near 35 again, and then the days warm up: about 69 Monday, 70 Tuesday and 69 on Veterans Day, mostly sunny. The only rain mention all week is a 20 percent chance of showers late Wednesday night into Thursday.

What it means for you: Clear and calm is the classic frost recipe, even when the low stays a few degrees above freezing. Think of a glass of sweet tea on the porch rail: the outside gets wet long before the ice melts. Your windshield and the low spots near creeks do the same thing. Start the car, run the defroster, scrape every window (not just a peephole) and skip the hot water — it can crack cold glass. Ease off a little on bridges early in the morning. After that, it’s sunglasses weather.

👉 Read more: The seven-day NWS forecast for Dunlap

🏡 Flaggers Back on Four Sequatchie County Roads

Local — close to home. Last week’s TDOT list had no Sequatchie County entries. This week’s list brings four back, all marked “project closeout activities” — the final touch-ups after the resurfacing jobs we’ve followed this fall:

• SR-111: from near Lewis Chapel Road to near East Valley Road — intermittent single-lane closures with flaggers (Tinsley Asphalt).
• SR-28 (listed by TDOT as US-127): from the Marion County line to east of Wilson Road — intermittent single-lane closures with flaggers (Rogers Group).
• SR-399: from the Grundy County line to near SR-111 — single-lane closures with flaggers. The same contractor is also closing out the Grundy County side, from SR-108 to our county line (Asphalt Paving Systems).
• SR-8: both directions from near Whitlow Road to near Sherman Road — lane closures with flaggers (Tinsley Asphalt).

TDOT doesn’t give exact days or hours for these, so treat them as possible any workday this week.

What it means for you: Closeout is like sweeping the kitchen after the canning is done — the big work is over, but somebody’s still on the floor with a broom. A flagger may hold you a few minutes. Slow down when you see the orange sign, stop when the paddle says stop, and give the crew a wave. Add five minutes if your trip runs along any of those roads.

👉 Read more: TDOT’s Nov. 5–11 Lower East roadway report

⛰️ I-24 Over the Mountain: Exit 134 Off-Ramp Closed Monday

Regional — Marion and Grundy counties. The new TDOT list has some short, daytime I-24 jobs on the Monteagle side of the trip toward Nashville:

• Monday, Nov. 9, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.: the Exit 134 off-ramp from I-24 eastbound to SR-15 is closed for vegetation removal around traffic cameras. TDOT says no traffic will be allowed to exit eastbound I-24 there.
• Nov. 9–24, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.: vegetation clearing around cameras on I-24 westbound from mile marker 140.5 to 135. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the fast lane closes at mile 140.5; other days use shoulder closures.
• Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 9–10, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: TDOT maintenance closes the I-24 westbound shoulder in Grundy County from about mile 133.8 to 132 to patch the unpaved edge.
• Sunday through Thursday nights, 7 p.m.–6 a.m.: closeout work on the Marion County resurfacing job, mile markers 152.2 to 156, with intermittent single-lane closures. One lane stays open, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be on site.

What it means for you: If your Monday plans have you getting off eastbound at Exit 134, pick a different exit before you leave the house — that ramp is shut for the workday. Everything else is like a neighbor mowing along the fence line: a bit of shoulder work, one fast lane on Tuesday, and mostly no stopping.

👉 Read more: TDOT’s Nov. 5–11 list (Marion and Grundy entries) · TDOT SmartWay

🛣️ Manchester Update: Exit 111 Reopens Monday in a New Pattern

Regional — Coffee County, on the way to Nashville. The full weekend closure of I-24 and SR-55 at Exit 111 started as scheduled Friday night. Interstate traffic is routed up and over the exit ramps while crews take down the SR-55 South bridge, and TDOT says it lifts at 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9. The update to remember is what comes next:

• Until Monday: use Exit 110 or Exit 114 for Manchester. The Exit 110 entrance ramp to I-24 East stays closed until Monday morning.
• Starting Monday: Exit 111A closes, and eastbound drivers use what is now Exit 111B. SR-55 traffic shares the north bridge, one lane each way. Thunder Radio reports the Exit 111A closure is expected to last about eight to ten months.
• Later: a second weekend closure will be needed for the SR-55 North bridge. TDOT hasn’t announced the date yet.
• Nearby: six miles east at Exit 117 (AEDC/Wattendorf Highway), nightly bridge demolition continues 7 p.m.–6 a.m., with I-24 cut to one lane and moved across the ramps, one direction at a time.

What it means for you: Think of it like the furniture moved around in grandma’s living room — the couch is still there, it’s just in a new spot. From Monday on, follow the signs for 111B instead of 111A, and don’t rely on old habits or an old map.

👉 Read more: TDOT’s Exit 111 notice · Thunder Radio on Monday’s new pattern

🚧 Bonny Oaks Closes Again Monday Through Wednesday

Chattanooga. No change from the city’s notice: the 4200 block of Highway 58 / Bonny Oaks Drive fully closes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 9–11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. our time (the city lists 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern) while Norfolk Southern works on its railroad trestle. Wednesday, Veterans Day, is still on the list.

• Trucks and vehicles with 3+ axles: Bonny Oaks to Lightfoot Mill Road to New York Avenue to Campbell Street (Hwy 58).
• Everyone else: Bonny Oaks to South Access Road to Randolph Circle to Harrison Pike to Denham Road to Addison Road and back to Bonny Oaks.

What it means for you: Same as a Sunday-dinner table with one chair taken — just sit somewhere else for a few hours. Go before 8 or after 2, or follow the detour signs.

👉 Read more: City of Chattanooga Bonny Oaks notice

🏙️ Chattanooga This Weekend: East Brainerd Road and Event Streets

Chattanooga — weekend. One new closure and a few event updates:

• East Brainerd Road (SR-320) is closed from Benham Drive to Vance Road for storm drainage work, TDOT’s list says, from 5 a.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Sunday Eastern — that’s 4 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday our time.
• UTC homecoming football today: streets around Finley Stadium are closed until about 7 p.m. our time.
• Patten Parkway downtown (Lindsay Street to Georgia Avenue) is closed about noon to 9 p.m. our time today for a night Christmas market.
• Head of the Hooch: Riverfront Parkway stays closed to through traffic until 9 p.m. Sunday our time.
• Chattanooga FC on Sunday: Finley Stadium streets close about 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. our time.
• Next week (daytime flaggers, about 8 a.m.–1 p.m. our time): Hixson Pike from Thrasher Pike to Bremer Lane through Tuesday, Nov. 10; Cherokee Boulevard between Chilhowie and Minor streets Nov. 9–12; St. Elmo Avenue between 44th and 45th streets through Nov. 13.

What it means for you: Headed to the Hamilton Place side this weekend? Let your map app route you around that East Brainerd stretch. Headed downtown? Park a little farther out and walk the last bit — the river’s pretty this time of year anyway.

👉 Read more: Chattanooga special-event closures · Chattanooga Journal road-closures roundup

🇺🇸 Veterans Day Wednesday: Dunlap’s Parade at 10 a.m.

Local. The Dunlap-Tribune reports that the Veterans Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Sequatchie County Courthouse, continues to Rankin Avenue and heads south to the park, ending around 10:30. A program follows at 11 a.m. at Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park, with retired Army Staff Sgt. Mindy King speaking. We didn’t find a posted road-closure list, so plan for slow or paused traffic downtown while the parade passes.

Over in Marion County, the county calendar lists the Jasper Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 14, 1–2 p.m.

What it means for you: If you’re just driving through Dunlap Wednesday morning, go before 9:45 or after 11, or take a back street around Rankin Avenue. Better yet, pull over, grab a curb spot and wave a flag — a parade is the one traffic jam worth joining.

👉 Read more: The Dunlap-Tribune on the Veterans Day parade · Marion County events

📋 Still on the Calendar (Quick List)

• Tunnel cleaning heads-up (Chattanooga): McCallie Tunnels on Wednesday, Nov. 18 (one side at a time with flaggers), Stringer’s Ridge Tunnel closed Nov. 18, and Bachman Tubes closed Nov. 19 — each 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern (7 p.m.–5 a.m. our time), weather permitting, with detours.
• US-72 / SR-27 in Marion County (log mile 21.2): westbound lane closed with temporary signals through Dec. 14.
• SR-108 in Marion County (log mile 2.8): one lane with temporary signals for slide repair; TDOT lists completion as Aug. 31, 2027.
• US-41 in Grundy County: flaggers between Bells Cove and West Main Street, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., through Nov. 17.
• North toward Crossville: daily flagger lane closures on SR-28 from the Bledsoe/Cumberland line to north of SR-419, plus ongoing work on US-127 north of I-40.
• I-75 at Hamilton Place: rebuild continues with ramp shifts, a lower speed limit and nightly lane closures.

👉 Read more: SValleyNow on Marion and Grundy work · TDOT newsroom

✅ Your Front-Porch Checklist

• 🧊 Sunday and Monday mornings: add five minutes to scrape every window. No hot water on cold glass.
• 🏡 Driving SR-111, SR-28, SR-399 or SR-8 this week? Expect a flagger and a short wait.
• ⛰️ Monday: eastbound I-24 Exit 134 off-ramp closed 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Pick another exit.
• 🛣️ Manchester from Monday on: Exit 111A is closed; follow the signs to 111B.
• 🚧 Bonny Oaks: closed Mon–Wed, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. our time.
• 🏙️ This weekend: East Brainerd Road closed Benham to Vance until about 7 p.m. Sunday our time.
• 🇺🇸 Wednesday: Dunlap parade at 10 a.m. Go early, go late or join the crowd.
• 📱 Before a long trip: check SmartWay or dial 511.

The practical rule: when you see an orange sign this week, slow down, and when you see a flag on Wednesday, wave back.

— Dunlap.Today

📖 Words Worth Knowing

• Project closeout: The last stretch of a road job — touch-ups, signs, stripes and inspections after the main paving is finished. Usually short, but flaggers can still stop you.
• Flagger: The worker with the STOP/SLOW paddle who takes turns letting each direction through one open lane.
• Log mile (LM): TDOT’s own mile count along a state route inside each county. It doesn’t always match the green mile markers on an interstate.
• Traffic pattern / traffic shift: When crews move lanes or ramps to a new spot so they can work on the old one. The road stays open, but the path changes.
• Frost on a 35-degree night: Glass and grass lose heat to a clear sky faster than the air does, so they can drop below freezing even when the thermometer reads a few degrees above.

❓ FAQ

Is the Manchester I-24 closure over?

Not yet. TDOT says it runs until 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9 (Coffee County is on Central time). Until then, use Exit 110 or 114 for Manchester. After it reopens, Exit 111A is closed, and eastbound drivers use the current Exit 111B.

Which Sequatchie County roads have flaggers this week?

TDOT lists closeout work on SR-111 (Lewis Chapel Road to East Valley Road), SR-28 (Marion County line to east of Wilson Road), SR-399 (Grundy County line to near SR-111) and SR-8 (Whitlow Road to Sherman Road). No exact hours are listed, so expect them any workday.

What’s closed at I-24 Exit 134 on Monday?

Only the off-ramp from eastbound I-24 to SR-15, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. I-24 itself stays open. Westbound drivers in that stretch may see shoulder work, plus a fast-lane closure at mile 140.5 on Tuesday.

Is Bonny Oaks closed on Veterans Day?

Yes, according to the city’s notice. Wednesday, Nov. 11 is one of the three closure days, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. our time (9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern).

Will Rankin Avenue close for Dunlap’s parade?

We didn’t find a published closure list. The parade runs from the courthouse to Rankin Avenue and south to the Veterans Memorial Park, roughly 10 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, so expect slow or paused traffic along that route for a while.

Will it actually freeze?

The Dunlap forecast lows are about 35 tonight and Sunday night with calm wind and clear skies. That’s just above freezing, but windshields, roofs and low spots can still frost over, so plan a few extra minutes Sunday and Monday mornings.

🔗 Other Resources

• TDOT SmartWay map: live closures and cameras (or dial 511)
• TDOT Lower East roadway report, Nov. 5–11
• TDOT newsroom: project updates and weekly reports
• NWS forecast for Dunlap
• City of Chattanooga road closures map
• Bonny Oaks / Hwy 58 closure notice
• Dunlap Veterans Day parade (The Dunlap-Tribune)
• NWS cold-weather safety tips

🚗 Steady Wheels, Calm Mind

This week’s recipe is easy to remember: a scraper for Sunday and Monday mornings, patience for the flaggers wrapping up around Dunlap, a different exit than 134 on Monday, 111B instead of 111A at Manchester, and a few minutes to honor our veterans on Wednesday. None of it calls for worry — just a little planning, a full cup of coffee and a wave out the window. For more calm, clear news about the roads you drive every day, keep reading Dunlap.Today.