On May 7, 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Clay Bright announced an award of $10,328,312 in Transportation Alternatives Grants statewide.
“Through these grants, TDOT has funded $397 million in non-traditional transportation projects,” said Bright.
“This program has assisted communities all over the state in their efforts to revitalize downtowns, highlight historic areas, provide alternative means of transportation, and increase opportunities for economic development,” he continued.
The transportation alternatives grant is made possible through a federally funded program and is administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
“Increasing safety, promoting healthy lifestyles and providing improved access to our cities and towns make our communities better places to live and work,” said Lee.
“I’m pleased the state can provide the support necessary to move these projects forward,” he added.
A variety of activities, such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects, are eligible for grant funds under the federal program.
This year’s grantees are:
- Ducktown. Pedestrian Enhancement – Phase 3: Construction of sidewalks along Main Street. Project also includes a retaining wall, curb and gutter, signage, pavement markings, landscaping and ADA upgrades. $719,453
- Charlotte. Downtown Revitalization – Phase 1 (2nd Priority): Construction of sidewalks in the downtown area. Project also includes drainage improvements, striping, ADA upgrades and pedestrian amenities. $406,314
- Charlotte. SR-48 Sidewalks (1st Priority): Construction of sidewalks along the east side of SR-48. Project also includes drainage improvements, curb and gutter, pavement markings and ADA upgrades. $1,096,596
- Livingston. Courthouse Plaza Improvements: Construction of sidewalks around the courthouse plaza. Project also includes relocation of the Veterans Memorial, curb and gutter, drainage improvements and ADA upgrades. $450,000
- Ashland City. Bicentennial Trail Extension: Conversion of a rail bed to a greenway adjacent to Main Street from Chapmansboro Road to Tennessee Waltz Parkway. Project also includes a pedestrian bridge, landscaping, a retaining wall and pedestrian amenities. $650,560
- LaFollette. Pedestrian Improvements – Phase 4: Construction of sidewalks along both sides of W. Beech Street and S. Tennessee Avenue. Project also includes ADA upgrades, crosswalks, curb and gutter, a retaining wall and drainage improvements. $1,482,516
- Milan. Downtown Revitalization – Phase 4: Construction of sidewalks along Main Street and Cedar Street. Project also includes curb and gutter, drainage improvements, landscaping, pavement markings, signage, pedestrian lighting, ADA upgrades and pedestrian amenities. $548,150
- Martin. Elm Street Pedestrian Improvements – Phase 7: Construction of sidewalks along Elm Street. Project also includes curb and gutter, drainage improvements, ADA upgrades, pavement markings, landscaping and pedestrian lighting. $1,255,000
- Portland. Richland Park Sidewalk Connector: Construction of sidewalks along Wheeler Street, N. Russell Street, High Street and Portland Boulevard. Project also includes curb and gutter, ADA upgrades and pavement markings. $697,447
- Elizabethton. Historic Covered Bridge Structural Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation of a historic transportation bridge for pedestrian use. $797,424
- Springhill. Harvey Park Greenway – Phase 1: Construction of a greenway along McCutcheon Creek. Project also includes signage, landscaping, crosswalk, median islands, ADA Compliance, pedestrian bridges and pedestrian amenities. $1,195,998
- Clinton. Pedestrian Improvements – Phase 2: Construction of sidewalks along SR-9, Cullom and Market Streets. Project also includes curb and gutter, drainage improvements, a comfort station and ADA upgrades. $1,028,854
Photo by Ryan Rice shows the historic Elizabethton, Tennessee covered bridge (one of the funded projects). It was built in 1882, and stretches 134 feet across the Doe River.
Learn more about TDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program.