Chattanooga Nears Completion of First Phase in Passenger Rail Project
Photo by Georg Bommeli on Unsplash
In The Know with Gino…
Chattanooga is making important progress toward its long-standing goal of bringing passenger trains back to the city. The first phase of research, funded by a federal grant, is nearly complete. This initial step examined what it would cost, how the project would work, and what engineering work is needed to make passenger rail service a reality.
The proposed train route would connect Chattanooga with major cities like Memphis, Nashville, and Atlanta, with potential extensions to other East Coast destinations. The project aims to improve regional travel options and boost economic growth.
City officials are now working on forming a nonprofit organization to oversee the project, involving representatives from Tennessee, Georgia, and other local agencies. If funding continues to come together, the entire project could take about five to seven years to complete once underway.
Most of the rail infrastructure needed already exists, mainly used for freight trains. Some additional tracks and modifications to crossings will be necessary to ensure safety and smooth operation for passenger trains. The next phase will focus on the engineering details required to build the route.
Overall, project leaders say there are no major hurdles so far, and they remain optimistic about the prospects of bringing passenger trains back to Chattanooga in the future.
