Governor Bredesen Announces Bristol Enhancement Grant

Nashville, Tenn. - Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that the state will provide the city of Bristol with an enhancement grant of $1.2 million to assist with the development of Phase III of the Volunteer Parkway Pedestrian Enhancement Project.

The project is located in Bristol along Volunteer Parkway and Highway 11E near the Bristol Motor Speedway. Phase III is the last phase of the project which consists of a pedestrian walkway system. When completed, the project will improve the safety of people attending events and working at the Speedway and improve traffic flow in the general area.

“The state awarded the first grant to begin this project in 2004. We are happy to follow through with a third grant to help complete the project,” said Governor Bredesen. “Events at the speedway bring thousands of people to Tennessee and millions of dollars into our state’s economy. This project will make this popular venue safer and easier to get to for visitors to the area.”

The Governor recognized Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey and Representatives Jason Mumpower and John Lundberg for helping to secure the grant.

“We want to provide a safe environment for the hundreds of thousands of people who attend events at the speedway each year,” said Ramsey. ”This project will not only provide protection for our visitors, it will also enhance the overall appearance of this popular destination.”
Lundberg added, “I’m pleased Governor Bredesen and TDOT are committing these funds to complete the Volunteer Parkway Pedestrian Project,” added Lundberg. “This project will enhance the entire area around Bristol Motor Speedway, in addition to providing race fans with a safe route to the track.”

“We are so proud of the positive exposure this community receives from events at the Bristol Speedway. It is vital that we make investments that will help this area continue to thrive, and this grant will allow us to do just that,” said Mumpower.

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

“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.”

Phase III includes the continuation of sidewalk facilities and landscaping along Highway 11E from White Top Road to Beaver Creek on the east side of Volunteer Parkway and from Maplehurst Drive north to Exide Drive on the west side.