Soddy Daisy Sequoyah Rail Trail
Project
Project
Description
The plan for this
project is to build a paved, shared-use recreational trail along
approximately a 6-mile corridor of property currently owned by the
Tennessee Valley Authority which includes right-of-way associated
with the TVA rail spur that services the Sequoyah Nuclear Facility
between Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee and Igou Ferry Road in Hamilton
County. The western terminus of this project would be the
rail spur line just west of U.S. Highway 27/Corridor J and the
parking area associated with Tractor Supply Company in
Soddy-Daisy. The rail line then parallels Sequoyah Access
Road between U.S. Hwy 27 and the Sequoyah Nuclear Facility on Lake
Chickamauga. The eastern terminus would be at the
intersection of Sequoyah Access Road and Igou Ferry Road, with the
potential to construct an extension to the TVA Wellness Facility
just south of the plant and on to the City of Lakesite.
Sequoyah Access Road is also under consideration as a potential
route for the development of a Tennessee Department of
Transportation Toll-Bridge to cross the Tennessee River and connect
U.S. Hwy 27 with Interstate 75 in Hamilton
County.
TVA has indicated an
interest in providing an easement on this property for recreational
use. They do intend to reserve the right for future use of
the rail line which is in current disrepair. The potential
future use of this rail facility would not be expected during the
next 15 to 20 years and with advanced construction techniques, it
might still be possible to utilize the existing rail bed for all or
some portions of the actual trail facility. In other cases,
the trail could be placed on either side of the existing rail bed
within the current right-of-way.
Project
Maps
Project
Benefits
There are no existing
similar recreational facilities in this portion of Hamilton
County. This facility would directly connect three Hamilton
County Schools, a senior care facility and several neighborhood
subdivisions. It could provide a direct link between the City
of Soddy-Daisy and Lake Chickamauga with the potential to include
Lakesite as well. The opportunity to link directly with a new
toll-bridge across the Tennessee River would be a significant
advantage for bicyclists in the region.
Current Project
Partners
City of Lakesite,
Tennessee, Bob Mullin, Mayor
City of Soddy-Daisy,
Tennessee, Jim Adams, Commissioner
Outdoor Chattanooga,
Philip Grymes, Executive Director
Hamilton County,
Tennessee, Greg Lane, Project Engineer
Land Trust for
Tennessee, Tricia King, Project Manager
Outdoor Chattanooga,
Philip Pugliese, Bicycle Coordinator
Rails to Trails
Conservancy, Bob Rock, Trail Coordinator
Regional Planning
Agency, Bryan Shults, Senior Planner
Tennessee Valley
Authority, Timothy Cleary, Site Vice-President
Tennessee Valley
Authority, Kevin Dutton, Project Manager
Tennessee Valley
Authority, Don Clift, Site Manager
Immediate
Pending Needs
TVA Land Use Application - $5,000
Preliminary Engineering and Design
Drawings
Initial maps
courtesy of Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon,
Inc.
Detailed study for Phase I of the project to
prepare construction applications
Goals
Complete TVA Land Use Application and secure all
appropriate easements to be held by the Land Trust for Tennessee as
necessary by September 1, 2008.
Finalize rail and trail use
plan.
Coordinate local government and grant
opportunities.
Daisy
Dallas Road Bridge
Eastern Terminus - Looking west from Igou Ferry
Road
Eastern Terminus - Looking west from Igou Ferry
Road
