Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer on Monday announced a grant to link the Downtown Riverwalk to the bike route on South Broad Street and the Lookout Mountain trail system. The $2,304,000 transportation enhancement grant to the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County is for Phase III of the Downtown Riverwalk Project.
Phase III extends the project from the end of Phase II at the Riverwalk’s intersection with Interstate 24 approximately 5,500 feet east to the intersection of St. Elmo Avenue and South Broad Street. The 12-foot-wide concrete trail will feature decorative lighting and landscaping.
“The project will provide a valuable means for pedestrians and cyclists to access destinations along its route without competing with traffic on busy thoroughfares while also offering safe access to local industries and new developments,” Haslam said. “Projects such as this enhance local communities and make Tennessee an even better place to live, work and play.”
“Through Transportation Enhancement grants, TDOT has funded more than $270 million in non-traditional transportation projects,” Schroer said. “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.”
The grant is made possible through a federally funded program administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. 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.