City of Kingsport awarded $5.6 million transportation grant

The City of Kingsport has been awarded $5.6 million in grant funds through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.

The funding will support the construction of the Brickyard Park pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the CSX Railroad tracks. The bridge aims to increase accessibility to the Brickyard area and connect it with downtown.

The grant requires a 20 percent match ($1.4 million) from the City of Kingsport. And as part of an agreement with CSX Transportation, the at-grade vehicular crossing will be closed permanently during the course of this project.

“We’re extremely thankful the Federal Railroad Administration approved these funds for the completion of the Brickyard Pedestrian Bridge,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “This project will not only improve safety, but also the mobility of people by enhancing the connectivity between the Brickyard area and downtown Kingsport.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced last week the FRA is investing $1.24 billion into rail safety infrastructure projects through 91 grants across 37 states. These dollars will go towards eliminating unsafe highway-rail conflict points, closing at-grade crossings and upgrading railroad traffic signals.

Kingsport was previously awarded $2.6 million in grant funds to support the Brickyard Pedestrian Bridge Project through the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Transportation Alternative Program (TAP).

The environmental and design work on the project is complete. The City of Kingsport is awaiting notice from TDOT to proceed with right-of-way acquisitions. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.