Governor Bredesen Awards Enhancement Grant for Winchester

Nashville, Tenn. - Governor Phil Bredesen joined state and local leaders today to award the city of Winchester with an enhancement grant in the amount of $418,403.  The grant funds will assist the city with development of the Winchester Community Walkway Project. 

The project is located in Winchester along State Highway 41A and Hall Street and includes construction and reconstruction of 4,350 linear feet of the existing walkway and pedestrian improvements to the old railroad overpass. 

“The heart of a city is its downtown area,” said Bredesen.  “Winchester is well on its way to having a vibrant, active city center that others will strive to emulate.  It shows what can be accomplished when a community works together to achieve a common goal.”

“Recreation areas like this pedestrian walkway improve the quality of life,” said Senator Jerry Cooper.  “I am pleased to have been involved in bringing this grant to the city of Winchester.”

Representative George Fraley added, “This will provide the citizens of Winchester and Franklin County with a safe place to walk, as well as an alternative method for getting downtown.  I am happy to have been part of it.”

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

“Through the Enhancement Grant Program, TDOT has helped fund approximately $189 million in 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.

The federal grant program was established by Congress in the early 1990s to fund activities designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the nation’s transportation system.

The proposed project is the second phase of the comprehensive Winchester Transportation Improvement Plan.  In 2006, the city of Winchester was awarded TDOT Enhancement funds to assist in revitalizing the downtown public square.  Phase two will extend the walkway system in an easterly direction along State Highway 41A to a low income/minority section of town and provide a walkway between several commercial businesses, offices and tourist attractions.  This project also includes crosswalks, ADA ramps, decorative lighting, signage, landscaping.  With the completion of the walkway, citizens of Winchester and Franklin County will have a safe and beautiful place to walk. 

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Contact:
B.J. Doughty
TDOT Community Relations Officer
BJ.Doughty@state.tn.us
615-350-4302 (office)
615-714-8556 (mobile)