Rail service could be coming back to the Choo-Choo city if a new federally funded study shows a proposed light-rail route is feasible.
The city of Chattanooga announced today it has been picked for a $400,000 federal grant to study the potential use of existing railways for a light-rail passenger system in Chattanooga.
Chattanooga was among 72 cities to receive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said today the study grant is "an important first step" toward restoring passenger rail service in Chattanooga, which ended four decades ago when the last inter-city service pulled out of the Chattanooga railroad terminal. The new study will evaluate using an existing 21-mile freight rail line from downtown to the Enterprise South Industrial Park and also will look at an implementation strategy for a 23-mile-long passenger rail system in the city.
"Passenger rail service would make travel to the airport and Enterprise South more convenient as well as connect our most disadvantaged neighborhoods to jobs, classrooms, grocery stores and healthcare facilities," Berke said in a statement today. "By putting our railroads back to use, we could create an incredible impact in our community and increase the quality of life of our citizens."
The study will examine passenger demand, route options and fare structure.
"I was proud to work with the Mayor's office in earning this grant and am confident a passenger rail option would allow us to utilize existing rail infrastructure and provide transportation options to residents throughout the city," said U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.
If the study finds a future rail project is viable, city officials said passenger rail service could result in repair benefits for the existing freight rail infrastructure, while simultaneously expanding transportation options for passenger travel.