By: Summer Kelley, Staff Reporter

A familiar sight along I-24 E is changing. 

Those who travel from Trenton to Chattanooga on a daily basis have probably noticed the closing of the Tennessee Welcome Center on I-24 East. The Welcome Center, known to the Tennessee Department of Tourism as the Tiftonia Welcome Center, is undergoing some major renovations.

So major, in fact, that the entire building and structures have been demolished to make room for a newer, more modern building.

Barry Young, Director of Welcome Centers for the Department of Tourist Development in Tennessee, said the Tennessee Department of Transportation – or TDOT – is building a brand new Welcome Center at the I-24 E site.

“The old building was over 40 years old,” Young said. “The new building will have larger restrooms and be more ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.”

Demolition and reconstruction started a few weeks ago and in the meantime, visitors coming from I-59 are being invited to use the Marion County facility at Exit 160. Those coming from Alabama via I-24 East can use the Chattanooga Visitor’s Center at Exit 178 on Highway 27 North. 

The completed new building will expand the Welcome Center’s space from the previous 2,600 square feet to nearly 5,000 square feet. The restrooms will have doubled in size and will have two sides allowing employees to close down only one side of the restroom during evening cleaning, leaving bathrooms accessible for everyone at all times. There will also be a family assistance restroom. 

Another attribute of the new Welcome Center will be its environmental friendly features like geothermal heating and cooling.

“It is a positive thing for the environment and will keep our energy costs down,” Young said.

The bill for construction of the new Welcome Center is being paid for out of federal stimulus money and Young said they hope the construction of the new center helps to provide more, needed jobs to the area. 

According to Young, construction of the new Welcome Center should be completed in about a year, but a lot depends on the weather and the wait will be worth it.