City of Knoxville, TN
01/08/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/08/2025 10:00
$24.7 M RAISE Grant Awarded
The City of Knoxville has been awarded a $24.7 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help realize the South Knoxville Pedestrian Bridge.
This was the City's third application for the grant to help support the pedestrian bridge project, a project born out of community input and the South Waterfront Vision Plan more than 15 years ago.
"We are so excited to have secured the next round of funding to make the South Knoxville Pedestrian Bridge a reality," said Mayor Indya Kincannon. "The federal RAISE grant, coupled with the $20 million from the state, will now propel this project to the next stage. I am grateful to the key partners who have committed to seeing this project through.
"RAISE grants are awarded for transportation and infrastructure projects that could have a profound community impact, and that's exactly what this project will do by enhancing safety and connectivity."
That connectivity will include greater access to:
• Existing greenway systems
• Suttree Landing Park
• The Urban Wilderness
• The University of Tennessee campus
• Cumberland Avenue and the Fort Sanders neighborhood
• And, the future UT Athletics Entertainment District
"This is an exciting and significant step forward for the South Waterfront pedestrian bridge project and the South Waterfront Vision Plan," said UT Chancellor Donde Plowman.
"Thank you to Mayor Kincannon and her team for their continued pursuit of this transformative project. It will provide a valuable connection between our vibrant campus, downtown, and South Knoxville, benefiting our community, and further enhancing the South Waterfront as an active place to live, work, and play. We are eager to continue our collaboration with the City to bring this project to life."
UT and Knoxville's Community Development Corp. (KCDC) have secured land on the south side of the river for housing and mixed-use projects. The bridge would span the river from Clancy Avenue on the south side to the pedestrian concourse on the north, located between Thompson-Boling Arena and Pratt Pavilion.
"We are grateful to Governor Bill Lee and Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Transportation Butch Eley, Lt. Governor Randy McNally and the Tennessee General Assembly, especially the members of the Knox County delegation, for their support of this project," Mayor Kincannon said. "We anticipate a larger celebration with all of our local, state and federal partners later this year."
To learn more, go to: www.knoxvilletn.gov/pedestrianbridge
This was the City's third application for the grant to help support the pedestrian bridge project, a project born out of community input and the South Waterfront Vision Plan more than 15 years ago.
"We are so excited to have secured the next round of funding to make the South Knoxville Pedestrian Bridge a reality," said Mayor Indya Kincannon. "The federal RAISE grant, coupled with the $20 million from the state, will now propel this project to the next stage. I am grateful to the key partners who have committed to seeing this project through.
"RAISE grants are awarded for transportation and infrastructure projects that could have a profound community impact, and that's exactly what this project will do by enhancing safety and connectivity."
That connectivity will include greater access to:
• Existing greenway systems
• Suttree Landing Park
• The Urban Wilderness
• The University of Tennessee campus
• Cumberland Avenue and the Fort Sanders neighborhood
• And, the future UT Athletics Entertainment District
"This is an exciting and significant step forward for the South Waterfront pedestrian bridge project and the South Waterfront Vision Plan," said UT Chancellor Donde Plowman.
"Thank you to Mayor Kincannon and her team for their continued pursuit of this transformative project. It will provide a valuable connection between our vibrant campus, downtown, and South Knoxville, benefiting our community, and further enhancing the South Waterfront as an active place to live, work, and play. We are eager to continue our collaboration with the City to bring this project to life."
UT and Knoxville's Community Development Corp. (KCDC) have secured land on the south side of the river for housing and mixed-use projects. The bridge would span the river from Clancy Avenue on the south side to the pedestrian concourse on the north, located between Thompson-Boling Arena and Pratt Pavilion.
"We are grateful to Governor Bill Lee and Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Transportation Butch Eley, Lt. Governor Randy McNally and the Tennessee General Assembly, especially the members of the Knox County delegation, for their support of this project," Mayor Kincannon said. "We anticipate a larger celebration with all of our local, state and federal partners later this year."
To learn more, go to: www.knoxvilletn.gov/pedestrianbridge