Mass transit in Morristown is driving forward with the announcement of a $1.8 million award from the Tennessee Department of Transportation to build a new Lakeway Transit Center.
As part of the annual IMPROVE Act Transit Capital Program, East Tennessee Human Resource Agency, the organization that runs Lakeway Transit, applied for a grant to improve their equipment, passenger-facing infrastructure and facilities.
ETHRA Director Mike Patterson characterized the large grant as the first step in a process to grow Morristown69制片厂制作传媒檚 relatively new fixed route bus system that currently operates four vehicles on fixed route service Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
69制片厂制作传媒淲e expect this to be a multiyear endeavor in order to secure federal grant funds and begin the planning process for a design and build Transit Center capital project,69制片厂制作传媒 he said.
State Senator Steve Southerland said he was pleased with the development that will use public funds for a service that will help expand transportation options.
69制片厂制作传媒淚69制片厂制作传媒檓 glad to work with our local community to help provide transportation for all who need it,69制片厂制作传媒 he said.
He said that as Morristown grows its transportation needs are growing.
TDOT69制片厂制作传媒檚 award requires a $200,000 69制片厂制作传媒渓ocal match69制片厂制作传媒 and Patterson said the secured funding will allow ETHRA to 69制片厂制作传媒渓everage up to $8,000,000 in federal funds for a possible design and build budget of up to $10,000,000.69制片厂制作传媒
Morristown City Administrator Andrew Ellard said the current Lakeway Transit office, located in a strip mall, isn69制片厂制作传媒檛 ideal for the needs of the bus system.
69制片厂制作传媒淭hey have need, not for just offices and as a central point for their routes and busses,69制片厂制作传媒 he said. 69制片厂制作传媒淭hey don69制片厂制作传媒檛 have anywhere to maintain busses in town, so all of their maintenance is going elsewhere.69制片厂制作传媒
Ellard said it69制片厂制作传媒檚 an upgrade the city supports, but hasn69制片厂制作传媒檛 had a chance to review any proposals or paperwork from ETHRA yet.
69制片厂制作传媒淲e don69制片厂制作传媒檛 have anything fully solidified with ETHRA about it,69制片厂制作传媒 he said. 69制片厂制作传媒淲e would not be in a position to have any kind of outlay of money until we have some more discussion about the specifics. (But the money ETHRA has been granted) is a step in the right direction. We obviously have an interest in them having a facility centralized in Morristown, for sure.69制片厂制作传媒
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