Chattanooga is moving forward with getting LRT.... If they can, a city like Jax could dramatically improve mass transit if made a priority.
QuoteBy using railroad lines already in place, Parr said, Chattanooga could construct a system that might otherwise cost "over a billion dollars" for just $40 million.
According to The Chattanoogan, Parr said that an initial segment from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to Montague Park, using trackage rights recently obtained by the museum would cost only $4 million to build. A tunnel that would allow the line to reach the Chattanooga Choo-Choo from the museum would cost $10 million. New spurs to the airport and industrial park would cost $13 million each.
In addition to providing several opportunities to promote transit-oriented development in the city center and East Chattanooga, the line would also be a tourist draw. Parr said that visitors to Chattanooga often ask, "Where's the train?"
The city has submitted an application for a federal grant to begin planning for the system. Parr said it should hear from the feds by September.
full article: http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/eugene-brt-extension-ho-chi-minh-subway-light-rail-chattanooga
I read about Chattanooga ' s LRT funding request a few weeks ago. Reuse of ROW is great because they have alot of them passing through town. That VW plant has really made them move forward.