The Nashville to Lebanon line would be the first leg of the Nashville Area Regional Commuter Rail System, which, when completed, would shuttle commuters from Nashville to Lebanon, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Franklin and Kingston Springs. Traffic congestion in Middle Tennessee is terrible and is only getting worse, Gordon said. Alternative means of travel like that which commuter rail can offer have to be pursued. Being stuck in traffic is something no one enjoys.
Commuter rail is a proven way to ease that morning and afternoon gridlock.
If we can get the president and Congress to approve this request, the commuter rail project would be well on its way to becoming a reality. I m hopeful the money will be included in next year s budget. Gordon and U.S. Rep. Bob Clement began exploring the possibility of bringing commuter rail to Middle Tennessee several years ago in an effort to relieve the region s traffic congestion. A rail station in Nashville has been built through previous congressional appropriations. Estimates indicate the Nashville Metropolitan Area s population will grow to more than 1.1 million in 2015, a 33 percent increase over the 1990 census report.