The city of cornelia will use this funding to complete the project planning and project development lifecycle stages of their pedestrian bridge project

The City of Cornelia received a $1.437 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program (CFDA 20.327), awarded May 1, 2025, with a completion date of January 31, 2029. The grant funds the planning and project development lifecycle stages for a pedestrian bridge initiative designed to grade-separate Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks that currently divide Cornelia's historic downtown from parking and community services. Deliverables under this award include comprehensive project planning, environmental review, design documentation, and engineering studies necessary to prepare the municipality for the final design and construction phases while enhancing the project's competitive eligibility for future FRA construction funding.

The ultimate objective of the funded initiative is to construct an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible, grade-separated pedestrian bridge that will eliminate safety hazards associated with at-grade railroad crossings. By addressing the physical barrier created by the railroad, the project is intended to significantly improve pedestrian safety, mobility, and accessibility for residents and goods movement, while reducing the risk of train-related injuries and fatalities. This planning-phase investment aligns with the FRA program's core mission to improve safety and mobility at highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossings while providing community benefits.

The funding will support the planning and development stages necessary to prepare cornelia for the final design and construction stages of their pedestrian bridge project and enhance the projects eligibility for future U.S. Department of transportation federal railroad administration funding. The ultimate goal of the project is to construct an ADA-accessible, grade-separated pedestrian bridge over the norfolk southern railroad tracks that separate cornelias historic downtown from parking and community services. The pedestrian bridge will significantly increase the safety and mobility of people and goods by eliminating the risk of train-related injuries and fatalities.