Governor Haslam Announces Enhancement Grant For Cookeville

Grant to fund Tennessee Heritage Trail Phase I

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam joined state and local leaders today to announce the award of a $600,000 transportation enhancement grant to the City of Cookeville for Phase I of the Tennessee Central Heritage Trail Project.

This Tennessee Central Heritage Trail Project will create an 8-foot-wide asphalt trail, which will begin at the Cookeville Depot Trailhead (Broad Street) and will proceed in a northerly direction paralleling the Nashville and Eastern Railway for more than 18,000 linear feet to the Algood Ball Field Trailhead. 

“The city of Cookeville has partnered with Putnam County, as well as the cities of Algood and Monterey, to provide its residents and visitors with a livable, walkable community,” Haslam said. “The Tennessee Central Heritage Trail project gives a unique opportunity to showcase the area’s history and character. I’m pleased we could make this investment in Putnam County as we work to make Tennessee an even better place to live, work and play.”

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

“Through Transportation Enhancement grants, TDOT has funded approximately $250 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.”

A variety of activities such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects are eligible for grant funds under the federal program.

This district is represented by state Rep. Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) and state Sen. Charlotte Burks (D-Monterey).