Clarksville to Nashville passenger rail service to be studied
Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in Nashville, Tenn., has selected Parsons Brinkerhoff, Inc., to conduct a study of cost-effective transit improvements to serve the Northwest area of Middle Tennessee, which will bring the state one step closer to having passenger rail service between Clarksville and Nashville.
“I am very excited about this project,” said Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan, the vice-chair of the RTA. “People have been talking about the possibility of a commuter rail service between Clarksville and Nashville for a long time. By working with the RTA, we are moving closer to making that a reality.”
Grant money and a local match by the RTA totaling $1.2 million has already been secured. This project will build upon the findings and recommendations from the 2008 Initial Feasibility Study and will explore all alternatives to improve the commute between Clarksville and Nashville.
“This is one of those situations where, in order to take advantage of the financial opportunities that may exist through state and federal funding, we must work through a process. This study is a very important part of that process and I appreciate the RTA staff’s hard work and the RTA board for supporting this project,” said Mayor McMillan.
