Knoxville TN, September 26, 2025

News Summary

Knoxville may soon see the revival of passenger rail service following a recent proposal from the Federal Railroad Administration. The initiative seeks to connect major cities from Houston to New York City, significantly benefiting Knoxville. Advocates highlight the economic impacts and safety advantages, emphasizing the need for increased public transportation options. With projected startup costs of $2 million per mile, the proposal aims to enhance mobility and decrease reliance on cars over a 15-year timeline.

Knoxville Could Be Reconnected by Passenger Rail Under New Federal Proposal

Knoxville is at the forefront of a potential revival of passenger rail service, following a recent 133-page report from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that suggests expanding passenger rail nationwide. This proposal highlights a specific corridor connecting Houston to New York City, which would significantly benefit Knoxville.

The proposed rail route would link major cities including Houston, New Orleans, Montgomery, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Roanoke, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. The initiative is supported by Jack Coker, a commercial real estate professional and community advocate, who has long pushed for the introduction of passenger rail in Knoxville.

The last regularly scheduled passenger train, known as the Birmingham Special, departed from Knoxville on August 12, 1970. Since then, this city has been without regular passenger rail service, a gap that the current proposal aims to fill.

A notable finding from the FRA report is that Amtrak’s existing operations already contribute $26.9 million to Tennessee’s economy, with $3 million generated specifically in East Tennessee. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) emphasizes the economic impacts of public transportation, citing that every $1 invested yields $5 in economic returns and supports 50,000 jobs for every $1 billion spent.

The estimated start-up costs for the proposed passenger rail route average around $2 million per mile, a figure much lower than the costs associated with expanding highway infrastructure. For instance, the cost of adding a lane to a rural interstate is approximately $1.32 million per mile, while in urban areas, this can rise to $10 million.

Coker argues that a two-track rail line can efficiently transport as many people per hour as 16 lanes of highway, suggesting that this alternative could enhance transportation efficiency significantly. Furthermore, many residents currently face high transportation costs, with owning a car averaging over $7,000 annually, which is equivalent to $90,000 in home-buying power.

In terms of safety, the conversation around public transportation becomes increasingly relevant as more than 45,000 Americans die in automobile accidents yearly. Advocates believe expanding passenger rail options may provide a safer alternative and increase public transportation viability.

Community members are being urged to advocate for the proposed Amtrak line, with calls for the City Council and local officials to form a dedicated task force to push this initiative forward. The FRA report suggests that incorporating Knoxville as a night stop will also be beneficial to nearby Johnson City.

Establishing a transportation network that connects Knoxville to Atlanta and beyond is expected to provide residents with greater mobility options and decrease reliance on cars. Federal funding and engagement from local stakeholders will be pivotal in realizing the proposed rail line, which is projected to cost around $5 billion and take approximately 15 years to complete.

The next steps include the preparation of a report for Congress by the end of the year regarding the proposed rail corridor, with local leaders acknowledging the importance of expanding rail service to support tourism, work travel, and enhance community connections along the route.

Key Features of the Proposed Passenger Rail Route

• Route: Houston to New York City, passing through Knoxville
• Economic Impact: $26.9 million to Tennessee, $3 million in East Tennessee from Amtrak operations
• Start-up Costs: Estimated at $2 million per mile
• Highway Comparison: Adding a lane costs $1.32 million (rural) to $10 million (urban)
• Safety Concerns: Over 45,000 automobile fatalities each year
• Proposed Timeframe: Approximately 15 years for completion
• Federal Funding Requirement: Projected cost around $5 billion

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Additional Resources

• Inside of Knoxville: Passenger Rail Revival
• Wikipedia: Passenger Rail Transport
• WBIR: Federal Rail Route Proposal
• Google Search: Passenger Rail Knoxville
• WJHL: Potential Passenger Rail Corridor
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Rail Transport
• WKRN: Tennessee’s Steps Toward Passenger Rail
• Google News: Amtrak Tennessee

Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.