3 Alternatives
Three route alternatives were presented Thursday night as a continuation of the study on bringing passenger rails back to Chattanooga.
The basic route on all the option would go from the Chattanooga Choo Choo on South Market Street along an old Belt Line/East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad route along Holtzclaw Avenue, then up to the old Missionary Ridge Tunnel that is now used only by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
There would be connections to the basic routes - using streetcars or buses - including near the UTC campus and through downtown as well as to the Chattanooga Airport and out to the Enterprise South Industrial Park.
The first alternative, Maximum Infrastructure Reuse, aims to maximize Chattanooga’s existing rails. This route, which would likely be the lowest in capital cost, would utilize a museum train, downtown electric bus, and a commuter bus.
The second alternative, Economic Development, shoots to enhance the value of property by expanding streetcar lines to certain downtown residential sections. This alternative would also make use of a rapid rail.
The third alternative, Mobility, competes with automobiles in that it aims to transport people in the amount of time a car would on a “one-seat ride,” meaning the passenger would not have to transfer between rails during a trip.
All of the routes wind their way through major activity centers in the city—from downtown to the Chattanooga Airport.
The presentation marked the second public forum held by the city to discuss how intra-city rail service would bypass congestion and connect residents with employment, educational, and transportation opportunities.
The route alternatives were looked at under the scope of five key criteria: population served; jobs served; access to activity centers; transit suitability; and capital costs.
The study focusing on if Chattanooga should “return to rail” as a way for people to get around town started in October of last year and was federally funded by a TIGER grant.
City Transportation Director Blythe Bailey said at the start of the forum that the city was trying to create options in “how we move around.”
He said many communities developed passenger rails in the last 25 to 30 years, as train systems complement place making—the method for planning, designing, and managing public spaces.
“Chattanooga is a rail town. It’s a place that has its history in rail,” Mr. Bailey said.
He stated the importance of “firm public involvement” in a project of this caliber. It was asked of everyone who attended the forum to vote on which alternative they liked best.
According to a recent survey of approximately 170 people, 85 percent supported the passenger rails, and 77 percent said they would use the rails in place of car trips.
The next public meeting is set for April 28, during which the public will be able to vote on project recommendations.
To find out more information and offer feedback on the passenger rail service, text “rail” to 97779, or visit www.chattanooga.gov/rail.