Hopes of a commuter rail system in Nashville looks as though it might be derailed by Hurricane Katrina (story here). For quite a while now, crews have been busily preparing Tennessee's first commuter train. Not only was it suppose to be the state's first but it was also being hailed as the nation's most
cost-effective rail projects ever. I so happy to hear the news that Nashville was moving towards a passenger train transit system! The Nashville area really needed this system that in the future would have seven different lines extending throughout mid-state. The area is rapidally growing and needs to keep in check traffic and pollution. Even though 90% of the track has been laid, many of the stations are almost built, and trains have been purchased, it looks as though budget cuts from Hurricane Katrina might derail this project. Lenders are very weary of giving money to the Regional Transportation Authority because it is uncertain if the original federal dollars will be coming in. Many are afraid that Congress will scrap the project and send money instead to the Gulf region. I really hope that Congress does not do this! I would understand them undertaking such an action in the early stages of the project but not this far in the building process! It would be such a waste to have everything almost completed and watch it go by the wayside because of a few million dollars. If you happen to live in the mid-state area, urge your national congressman to keep this project on track so that Nashville and Tennessee can have a better future!filed under: tennessee, politics
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