This project will address long standing traffic and safety problems at the at-grade hamill road railroad crossing (hamill road crossing) on the cincinnati, new orleans, and texas pacific railway in…

The City of Chattanooga received a $1,618,750 Project Grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (CFDA 20.327), awarded on May 1, 2025, with a completion date of October 31, 2027. This grant funds project development activities to relocate Hamill Road under Norfolk Southern's railroad line, eliminating an at-grade crossing on the Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Texas Pacific Railway in the Hixson community. The project addresses critical safety and operational challenges at this double-track crossing, where trains frequently stop to allow oncoming trains to pass, routinely blocking hospital traffic including emergency vehicles to and from nearby CHI Memorial Hospital.

Upon completion, the grade separation project will enhance train, roadway, and pedestrian safety while optimizing rail operations and supporting economic development in the Chattanooga region. The improvements will facilitate operations at Norfolk Southern's Decatur Yard, a critical regional transportation hub, while improving community quality of life and reducing transportation conflicts. The grant-funded activities support the broader Railroad Crossing Elimination Program objectives of improving safety and mobility at highway-rail grade crossings and reducing the adverse impacts of freight movement and railroad operations on communities.

This project will address long standing traffic and safety problems at the at-grade hamill road railroad crossing (hamill road crossing) on the cincinnati, new orleans, and texas pacific railway in the hixson community, city of chattanooga. The project funds the project development activities to relocate hamill road under norfolk southerns railroad. This project is crucial for enhancing train, roadway and pedestrian safety, optimizing rail operations, and fostering economic development in the chattanooga region. The hamill road crossing is located approximately 1,000 feet east of CHI memorial hospital and hospital traffic including emergency vehicles are routinely blocked by slow-moving or stopped trains. At the hamill road crossing, there is a double track, and trains will stop to allow oncoming trains to pass. The class 1 railroad line serves norfolk southerns debutts yard, which serves as a critical transportation hub and catalyst for economic activity not only in chattanooga but across the southeast. Once completed, the project will address the existing safety issues and will improve the quality of life of the surrounding community. Additionally, the improvements will better support the economy of the city of chattanooga, state of tennessee and the entire southeastern united states.