🚧 Manchester's New Pattern Starts Monday, Bonny Oaks Slows to 45, Fuller Road Closes for the Week and a Colder Friday

Or: Follow the new signs at Manchester, skip Exit 134 on Monday, ease off on Bonny Oaks and find your warm gloves by Friday

By the AI Whippersnapper for Dunlap.Today · Roads & Commute #34 · Sunday, November 8, 2026

Good Sunday, neighbors. Here’s your week on the road. The I-24 weekend detour at Manchester lifts at 6 a.m. Monday, and drivers come back to a new pattern: Exit 111A closes, and eastbound drivers use 111B. Also on Monday, the eastbound Exit 134 off-ramp on the mountain is closed for the workday. In Chattanooga, the city has lowered the speed limit on part of Bonny Oaks Drive to 45 mph, just ahead of three more daytime closures there, and Hamilton County is closing a stretch of Fuller Road all week for waterline work. Close to home, closeout flaggers are still possible on four Sequatchie County roads, and Dunlap’s Veterans Day parade is Wednesday at 10 a.m. The weather is the easy part: sunny and near 70 through Veterans Day, then colder, with a low near 30 Friday night.

⏱️ The 30-Second Version
🧊 Monday and Tuesday mornings: Lows near 36–37, clear and calm. Leave time to scrape.
🛣️ Manchester, from 6 a.m. Monday: Exit 111A is closed. Eastbound, follow the signs to 111B.
⛰️ Monday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.: I-24 eastbound Exit 134 off-ramp closed. Pick another exit.
🐢 Bonny Oaks Drive (new): 45 mph from Lee Highway to Austin Drive. Closed in the 4200 block Mon–Wed, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. our time.
💧 Fuller Road (new): Closed White Road to Fuller Creek Road Mon–Fri, Nov. 9–13, during the workday.
🇺🇸 Wednesday: Dunlap parade at 10 a.m. from the courthouse.
🧤 Friday night: Low near 30. Plan for a frosty Saturday morning.

🕐 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.

🧤 Sunny Through Veterans Day, Then a Colder Turn (Update)

Local forecast. The National Weather Service’s late-morning update for Dunlap keeps the nice stretch going: sunny today near 66, clear and calm tonight near 36, sunny Monday near 67, then about 70 on Tuesday and again on Veterans Day. Monday night drops to about 37. The update since yesterday is the end of the week: a 30 percent chance of showers late Wednesday night, mainly after midnight, a 20 percent chance Thursday with a high near 58, then a sunny but chilly Friday near 48 and a low around 30 Friday night. Saturday is sunny near 53.

What it means for you: Monday and Tuesday mornings are scraper mornings again: clear sky, no wind and a low in the mid-30s. That’s when windshields and the low spots near creeks frost over first. The bigger thing to remember is Friday night. A low near 30 is real freezing weather, so Saturday’s early drive may start with a thicker frost on the glass and a slick spot or two on bridges. It’s a bit like the first morning you need a jacket on the porch: nothing to fear, you just want it hanging by the door. Run the defroster, scrape every window (not just a peephole) and skip the hot water on cold glass.

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

🛣️ Manchester Update: The New Pattern Starts at 6 a.m. Monday

Regional — Coffee County, on the way to Nashville. TDOT’s weekend closure of I-24 and SR-55 at Exit 111 is set to end at 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9. The interstate goes back to normal through the interchange, but the ramps and SR-55 don’t. Here’s what changes:

• Exit 111A closes. Eastbound drivers going to SR-55 use what is now Exit 111B. Thunder Radio reports the Exit 111A closure is expected to last about eight to ten months.
• SR-55 shares one bridge. Both directions use the north bridge, one lane each way, while crews replace the south bridge.
• Getting into Manchester: TDOT points drivers to Exit 110 or Exit 114. The Exit 110 entrance ramp to I-24 East reopens Monday morning.
• School traffic too: Thunder Radio reports that Coffee County Schools is starting a new traffic pattern at its nearby school at about 6 a.m. Monday, so the first morning may be a little slower.
• Still to come: a second weekend closure to take down the north bridge. TDOT hasn’t set a date yet.

What it means for you: This is like the church moving the coffee pot to the other side of the fellowship hall. Everything’s still there, but your feet will try to walk to the old spot for a while. If you head toward Nashville or Tullahoma this week, watch the signs at Exit 111 and don’t trust an old map. Six miles east, nightly work at Exit 117 (AEDC/Wattendorf Highway) still runs 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., with I-24 down to one lane.

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

⛰️ Monday Reminder: I-24 Exit 134 Off-Ramp Closed for the Workday

Regional — Marion and Grundy counties. We told you about these yesterday. Here they are again because they start tomorrow:

• Monday, Nov. 9, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.: the Exit 134 off-ramp from I-24 eastbound to SR-15 is closed while crews clear brush from around traffic cameras. TDOT says no one can exit eastbound there during that time.
• Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.: the westbound fast lane closes at mile marker 140.5. Through Nov. 24, other days use shoulder closures between miles 140.5 and 135.
• Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: westbound shoulder work in Grundy County, about miles 133.8 to 132.
• Sunday through Thursday nights, 7 p.m.–6 a.m.: closeout work on the Marion County I-24 resurfacing job, miles 152.2 to 156. One lane stays open.

What it means for you: If your Monday errand has you getting off eastbound at Exit 134, choose your other exit tonight and write it on the grocery list so you don’t forget. The rest is like a neighbor weed-eating along the fence: some orange cones on the shoulder, one fast lane on Tuesday, and mostly no stopping.

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

🐢 Bonny Oaks Drive: A New 45 mph Limit, and Closures Mon–Wed

Chattanooga — new. The City of Chattanooga says the speed limit on Bonny Oaks Drive between Lee Highway and Austin Drive is now 45 mph, under an ordinance the City Council passed. In the same notice, the limit on Lake Resort Drive between Highway 153 and North Park Road dropped to 40 mph. The city says the new signs are up and the change took effect immediately.

Reminder: 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) for Norfolk Southern’s railroad trestle work. Veterans Day is one of those days.

• 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: If your Chattanooga trips take you past the Bonny Oaks area, ease off the gas. Old habits are like an old recipe card, and the number on it just changed. Go before 8 a.m. or after 2 p.m. our time Monday through Wednesday, or follow the detour.

👉 Read more: Chattanooga’s speed-limit notice · Bonny Oaks closure notice

💧 Fuller Road Closed for the Workweek

Hamilton County — new. The Hamilton County Mayor’s Office says Fuller Road is closed between White Road and Fuller Creek Road from Monday, Nov. 9, through Friday, Nov. 13, while East Side Utility crews upgrade a waterline. The closure runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, as reported by NewsChannel 9. That’s Hamilton County local time, so about 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. our time. Residents and emergency vehicles get in from the west end, near Hurricane Creek. A detour is posted.

What it means for you: Most Valley drivers will never see this one. But if you visit family or a job site out that way, it’s like the gate across the pasture lane: you can still get where you’re going, just by the long way around. Early mornings and late afternoons stay open.

👉 Read more: NewsChannel 9 on the Fuller Road closure

🏡 Close to Home: Closeout Flaggers and a Reopened East Valley Road

Local — Sequatchie County. TDOT’s Nov. 5–11 list, which runs through Wednesday, still shows project closeout work with flaggers possible 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). TDOT gives no exact days or hours.

Also local: the Sequatchie County Highway Department announced that East Valley Road at Barker Branch is open again after road work, as Dunlap.Today reported Nov. 6. Look for fresh pavement and a yellow “BUMP” sign where the road surface changes height.

What it means for you: A flagger may hold you a few minutes on those state routes, so build in a little extra time. On East Valley Road, slow down at the BUMP sign the first few times through, until your hands learn where it is.

👉 Read more: TDOT’s Nov. 5–11 Lower East roadway report · East Valley Road reopening (Dunlap.Today)

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

Local. The Dunlap-Tribune reports that the parade begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Sequatchie County Courthouse, goes 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. We didn’t find a posted road-closure list, so plan for slow or paused traffic downtown while it passes. 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: Driving through Dunlap Wednesday morning? Go before 9:45 or after 11, or use a back street around Rankin Avenue. Or pull over and join in. It’s the one slowdown that’s worth it.

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

📋 Still on the Calendar (Quick List)

• Chattanooga flaggers this week (daytime, 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.
• Signal Mountain Road (US-127/SR-8) between Runyan Drive and Glendale Drive, and Suck Creek Road: daytime flaggers through Dec. 4.
• South Crest Road (Chattanooga): the city’s notice listed the closure between East Crest Road and Peachtree Road through Monday, Nov. 9. The city hasn’t posted an update, so check the closures map before you count on it.
• 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: one lane with temporary signals for slide repair.
• US-41 in Grundy County: flaggers between Bells Cove and West Main Street, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., through Nov. 17.
• Tunnel cleanings coming up: McCallie Tunnels Nov. 18, Stringer’s Ridge Tunnel Nov. 18, Bachman Tubes Nov. 19, each 7 p.m.–5 a.m. our time, weather permitting.
• I-75 at Hamilton Place: rebuild continues, with lane shifts, a lower speed limit and nightly lane closures.
• Next TDOT list: the current one runs through Wednesday, Nov. 11. We’ll bring you the new one when it’s posted.

👉 Read more: Chattanooga Journal road-closures roundup · TDOT newsroom

✅ Your Front-Porch Checklist

• 🧊 Monday and Tuesday mornings: add five minutes to scrape. No hot water on cold glass.
• 🛣️ Manchester, from 6 a.m. Monday: Exit 111A is closed. Eastbound, follow the signs to 111B.
• ⛰️ Monday: I-24 eastbound Exit 134 off-ramp closed 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
• 🐢 Bonny Oaks Drive: 45 mph now, and closed Mon–Wed, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. our time in the 4200 block.
• 💧 Fuller Road: closed White Road to Fuller Creek Road, Mon–Fri during the workday.
• 🏡 SR-111, SR-28, SR-399 or SR-8: a flagger may hold you a few minutes.
• 🇺🇸 Wednesday: Dunlap parade at 10 a.m.
• 🧤 Friday night: low near 30. Have the scraper and gloves ready for Saturday.
• 📱 Before a long trip: check SmartWay or dial 511.

The practical rule: when a road you know changes, read the signs instead of your habits, and give yourself five extra minutes.

— Dunlap.Today

📖 Words Worth Knowing

• 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.
• Exit 111A / 111B: Two ramps at the same Manchester interchange. “A” and “B” split one exit number into two directions on SR-55. Starting Monday, eastbound drivers only have the “B” ramp.
• Project closeout: The last stretch of a road job, with touch-ups, signs, stripes and inspections after the main paving is done. Usually short, but flaggers can still stop you.
• Ordinance: A local law passed by a city council. In Chattanooga, a speed-limit change is made by ordinance, then the signs go up.
• Frost vs. freeze: Frost is ice crystals on glass and grass, and it can form even when the air is a few degrees above 32. A freeze means the air itself drops to 32 or below, as Friday night’s forecast low near 30 suggests.

❓ FAQ

When does the Manchester I-24 detour end?

TDOT says 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9 (Coffee County is on Central time). After that, Exit 111A is closed, eastbound drivers use Exit 111B, and SR-55 runs one lane each way on the north bridge. Use Exit 110 or 114 for Manchester.

How long will Exit 111A be closed?

Thunder Radio reports about eight to ten months. TDOT also plans a second weekend closure for the other bridge, with no date announced yet.

What’s the new speed limit on Bonny Oaks Drive?

45 mph between Lee Highway and Austin Drive, according to the City of Chattanooga, effective immediately. Lake Resort Drive between Highway 153 and North Park Road is now 40 mph.

Is Bonny Oaks closed on Veterans Day?

Yes. According to the city’s notice, the 4200 block closes Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 9–11, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. our time (9 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern).

Which part of Fuller Road is closed?

Between White Road and Fuller Creek Road, Monday through Friday, Nov. 9–13, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hamilton County time (about 7 a.m.–3 p.m. our time). Local access is from the west end near Hurricane Creek.

Will it freeze this week?

The Dunlap forecast has lows of about 36 tonight and 37 Monday night, which means frost is possible. Friday night’s low near 30 is a real freeze, so plan extra time Saturday morning.

🔗 Other Resources

• TDOT SmartWay map: live closures and cameras (or dial 511)
• TDOT Lower East roadway report, Nov. 5–11
• TDOT Exit 111 Manchester notice
• NWS forecast for Dunlap
• City of Chattanooga road closures map
• Chattanooga speed-limit notice (Bonny Oaks, Lake Resort)
• Dunlap Veterans Day parade (The Dunlap-Tribune)
• NWS cold-weather safety tips

🚗 Steady Wheels, Calm Mind

Here’s the short list to remember: 111B instead of 111A at Manchester starting Monday, a different exit than 134 on Monday, 45 on Bonny Oaks, the long way around on Fuller Road, a flag to wave on Wednesday and a warm coat by Friday. None of it is cause for worry. You just need to know it’s coming, and now you do. For more calm, clear news about the roads you drive every day, keep reading Dunlap.Today.