The Tennessee Legislature approved a $20 million funding infusion for short-line railroads, a move that could help the Upper Cumberland.
The money will support track maintenance and infrastructure repairs. Monterey Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary told the Joint Economic Community Development Board Tuesday. The investment follows a push from local leaders.
“So we can see some more activity along our railroad,” Cleary said. “So it was… I was excited about it. I know others maybe not so much, but I thought that’s a big deal.”
Cleary said the funding was not part of the initial state budget but was added following lobbying efforts with state legislators. Cleary said the money will be used for the maintenance and upkeep of tracks, specifically through the Nashville and Eastern Railroad Authority.
“And obviously there’s some issues east of Carthage Junction here in the Cookeville area,” Cleary said. “So hopefully those dollars can be put to use through the Nashville and Eastern Railroad Authority to repair some lines and upkeep the lines up in Monterey.”
Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the region already has $7.5 million allocated to reconstruct the bridge at Carthage Junction.
“That’s right, so that’s the, that’s the issue: once the bridge is done, use this money and get the rail fixed between here and there, and I see a train here twice a month instead of once a month, right?” Mills said.
“Hopefully more than that,” Cleary said. “At least a couple times a week.”
Cleary said the railroad improvements would be significant for ongoing development efforts in the area. The upgrades would specifically benefit a project currently being advocated for on Broad Street.
The board discussed the potential for future passenger rail service as a long-term goal for the region.
Recreational train trips from Nashville to the Upper Cumberland ended several years ago because of poor conditions along the railway. Those conditions kept trains moving too slowly to keep the trips feasible. Both Monterey and Baxter benefitted from those trips.