Governor Haslam Announces Enhancement Grant for Civil War Driving Trail

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam joined state and local officials today to announce the award of an $818,880 transportation enhancement grant to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for Phase III of the Civil War Driving Trail.

 

The Civil War Driving Trail is a multi-phased program that has established a statewide network of directional and historical signage to be used in conjunction with the Tennessee Civil War map/guide and applicable map/guides developed by individual localities. 

 

“Tennessee has many unique experiences and sites to offer visitors, and as we try to maximize a visitor’s time in the state, this program creates a more easily accessible, user-friendly system for travelers to follow as they explore sites and transportation corridors associated with the Civil War,” Haslam said.  “The program encourages partnerships between state agencies and local communities and enhances local communities for the benefit of citizens and visitors alike.”

 

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

 

“Through Transportation Enhancement grants, TDOT has funded more than $259 million in non-traditional transportation projects,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “Established by Congress in the early 1990’s, the program supports activities designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the nation’s transportation system.”

 

The Tennessee Civil War Trails program is both a freestanding, statewide program and a part of the existing 700-site, three-state Civil War Trails program which has been developed through similar grant funding. The project will encourage and reward local governments and private sector participants that establish, promote and maintain the program in their areas.