Governor Bredesen Announces Grant for the Knox Blount Greenway

Enhancement Grant for Knox Blount Greenway:
 Left to right, TDOT Commissioner Gerald F. Nicely, Sen. Tim Burchett,
 Director of Engineering Steve King, and Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Nashville, Tenn. — Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that the state will provide the city of Knoxville in Knox County with an enhancement grant in the amount of $1,161,580 to assist with the development of the Knox Blount Greenway. This is the second grant the state has awarded to this project.

“This regional greenway will be a valuable asset and demonstrates the success of a joint partnership between the city, county and state,” said Bredesen. “I’m proud the State of Tennessee can make investments like this to enhance local communities for the benefit of citizens and visitors alike.”

“I’m thrilled to have been able to assist with this project,” stated Representative Harry Tindell. “This will be the first regional greenway in the state, eventually connecting downtown Knoxville to the Alcoa Greenway system.”

“This greenway will serve many people, including the students and visitors of the University of Tennessee because it will become a link to many vital facilities on the campus,” added Senator Tim Burchett.

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, the Knox Blount Greenway will connect the Neyland Greenway across the Buck Karnes Bridge to the Alcoa and Maryville Greenway Systems. The first portion of the Knox Blount Greenway will be construction along the banks of the Tennessee River on the University of Tennessee’s Cherokee Farm property located directly below the Buck Karnes Bridge.