Governor Bredesen Announces Grant for Franklin

Nashville, Tenn. — Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that the state will provide the city of Franklin in Williamson County with an enhancement grant in the amount of $500,000 to assist with the development of the Franklin Gateway Corridor Economic Development Project (U.S. Route 431/State Route 106/Hillsboro Road).

“Hillsboro Road is a major gateway into downtown Franklin and its nearby historic neighborhoods. This project will beautify the gateway to the community and also provide some much-needed pedestrian features,” said Governor Bredesen. “I’m proud the State of Tennessee can make investments like this to enhance local communities for citizens and visitors alike.”

The grant is made possible through a federally funded program administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

“Including this year’s enhancement grants, TDOT has helped fund approximately $189 million worth of transportation related projects such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “These grants were made possible in the 1990s when Congress established a grant system funding activities designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the nation’s transportation system.”

According to the grant application, some of the features to be included in the project are pedestrian walkways with decorative design materials, decorative lights, landscaping, a gateway entrance and sign, and historically styled brick walls to screen parking areas.