Haslam Announces Transportation Grant for Brownsville

Grant to make improvements along eastern corridor in Haywood County city
 
BROWNSVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer announced today a $506,556 grant to Brownsville for improvements along East Main Street, which leads into the city’s downtown business district and Haywood County Court Square.
 
The grant funds Phase II of the Brownsville Downtown Enhancement Project, replacing aging curbs and sidewalks with ADA accessible facilities. Decorative street lighting will also be added along the corridor.
 
This phase of the project will also complement the nearly-completed improvements to the historic courthouse and court square.
 
“The project will improve the safety, accessibility and connectivity of the East Main Street corridor,” Haslam said. “Tennessee’s downtowns are the heart of our communities, offering a place for everyone to gather and providing a hometown feel for visitors, and these changes will help everyone enjoy the pedestrian experience in Brownsville that much more.”
 
“Through these grants, TDOT has funded more than $294 million in non-traditional transportation projects,” Schroer said.  “This program has assisted communities all over the state in their efforts to revitalize downtowns, highlight historic areas, provide alternative means of transportation, and increase opportunities for economic development.”
 
The transportation alternative grant is made possible through a federally-funded program formerly known as transportation enhancement, and is administered by TDOT.
 
A variety of activities such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects are eligible for grant funds under the federal program.
 
State Sen. Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) and House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) represent Haywood County in the Tennessee General Assembly.