Chattanooga seeking applicants for passenger railway project

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The City of Chattanooga is looking for a qualified firm to scope and analyze the proposed passenger rail project.

The city published a Request for Qualification (RFQ) on Wednesday, May 8.

Interested firms can apply until Tuesday, June 11.

They are looking for someone to create “a comprehensive analysis of the workforce, economic, and operational impact of the project.”

The proposed rail project, a Sunbelt-Atlantic Connector, would link Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta.

Back in December, the city won a $500,000 federal grant to study the needs in this project.

“The potential benefits for Chattanooga from passenger rail are boundless. Tennessee is expected to see a nearly 30% increase in auto trips and commute times over the next 20 years, while Amtrak ridership is increasing at about the same rate — clear signs that people want more transportation options,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “This project will help us protect our interstates, catalyze regional economic development, and better connect our region with more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.”

Mayor Kelly said he has been seeking to implement this project since he first took office.

The Sunbelt-Atlantic Connector would use existing rails that already connect the four cities. It would also take inspiration from finished projects in North Carolina and Virginia.