NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville, has secured $20 million in funding through the state’s Short Line Railroad Preservation Grant Program, ensuring critical rail infrastructure projects can continue across Tennessee.
Building on Gov. Bill Lee’s original $85 million investment in the program, the Tennessee General Assembly approved additional funding to prevent a lapse in support as the original appropriation nears expiration on July 1. The appropriated funds are part of the state’s $58.3 billion balanced budget passed by theTennessee General Assembly in April.
Tennessee’s Short Line Railroad Preservation Grant Program helps preserve rail service to local communities and expand rail connectivity along existing rail corridors. Short-line railroads serve as a critical link between rural industries and larger freight networks, providing cost-effective transportation options for manufacturers, agricultural producers and other Tennessee businesses.
The program supports infrastructure improvements designed to enhance freight mobility, improve supply chain reliability, strengthen rail safety through proactive maintenance and support long-term transportation planning. These investments help communities attract economic development while ensuring businesses have reliable transportation options to move goods to market.
“Short line railroads are often the unsung heroes of our freight transportation network,” said Hawk. “They provide the critical first and last mile connections that help manufacturers, agricultural producers and businesses move products efficiently throughout the Volunteer State and beyond. This investment will not only help preserve rail service in rural communities, but strengthen supply chains and ensure our state remains competitive for economic growth and job creation throughout our entire state.”
Administered through the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the program provides funding to Tennessee’s rail authorities, which work with short-line rail operators and infrastructure partners to identify and oversee improvement projects. Funding is deployed through a public-private partnership framework involving TDOT, rail authorities, rail operators and infrastructure owners to ensure investments benefit Tennessee’s statewide freight transportation network.
Rep. David Hawk represents District 5, which includes Greene County.
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