If you’ve driven south on I-75 recently, you may have spotted large dome-like structures taking shape near the I-75/I-24 split and South Lee Highway.
No, they aren’t new sports arenas. They’re part of Chattanooga’s $153 million e2i2 wastewater project, a major investment to reduce sewer overflows and protect local waterways.
Right now, construction crews are building basins that will hold up to 40 million gallons of wastewater during storms, preventing it from spilling into creeks and the Tennessee River. Once conditions return to normal, the water will be pumped to the wastewater treatment plant.
There are two different locations that will have these basins:
- The South Lee Highway facility, which will be able to store 10 million gallons of wastewater
- The West Chickamauga site (near the I-75/I-24 split), which will be able to store up to 30 million gallons of wastewater
e2i2 is part of the broader Clear Chattanooga initiative, launched after a 2013 federal consent decree requiring the city to reduce sewer overflows.
“These structures represent one of the largest environmental investments in the city’s history – a visible commitment to protecting our waterways and supporting Chattanooga’s sustainable growth,” said Mark Heinzer, Wastewater Department Administrator.
The project is on track for completion in early 2027.
