NASHVILLE — Cities such as Nashville are facing so much interstate congestion that state officials are considering the idea of more freight and passenger rail service to help, the Nashville Tennessean reported.
Conditions appear so favorable that Amtrak-style service could run from Memphis to Nashville in the next five years — if state transportation supporters can garner support and money from government officials.
More than 70 people packed Howard School last night to listen and respond to members of the Tennessee Department of Transportation and hear its consultants talk about their research on a 500-mile Memphis-to-Nashville-to-Knoxville-to-Bristol rail service, which could cost in the neighborhood of $842 million.
The state would take the lead in developing the service because Amtrak faces financial problems, a state consultant said.
But expanded rail service is still in the talking stages, with details of paying for it still in the works.
”The state’s railroad system might carry some of the freight rapidly depleting our interstate highway system capacity and do it in a very cost-effective way,” said Ben Smith, director of TDOT’s division of public transportation, rail and water division.
New passenger rail routes also would run on the same tracks as parts of Nashville’s less intensive proposed commuter rail to Lebanon.
TDOT is also involved in the proposed 32-mile Nashville-to-Lebanon commuter rail project, the first of five legs considered from main suburban cities into Nashville. That $36.5 million project is in final design, with construction scheduled to begin late next year. If operating cost issues are resolved, that first line could be operating by early 2005.
Diane Thorne, a key Metro member of the commuter rail organizing group, liked the ideas of last night’s proposal.
”It seems like it would all complement one another,” Thorne said.
Residents also seemed interested in the possibility. ”I’m really encouraged,” Nashville resident Charlie Lewter said.
Train service, Lewter said, is another important transportation option for this growing region.
To learn more For more information on TDOT’s rail plans, visit www.tdot.state.tn.us.