The brainerd road/LEE highway corridor TOD capacity study will examine transit-oriented development potential along this planned high-capacity bus rapid transit (BRT) route assisting to confirm key…

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded $787,500 to Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (Carta) on May 20, 2026, under the Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants program (CFDA 20.500) for the Brainerd Road/Lee Highway Corridor Transit-Oriented Development Capacity Study.

The study identifies market potential for transit-oriented development and optimal station locations along a planned high-capacity bus rapid transit route in Chattanooga. Route 4, currently operated by Carta in this corridor at 20–30 minute frequencies, generates the highest ridership in the metropolitan region. The project scope includes assessing residential and commercial development potential to locate stations with highest ridership; identifying funding sources including value capture opportunities to encourage TOD; using the region's travel demand model to assess potential BRT ridership resulting from future TOD areas; and conducting a policy and regulation diagnostic to explore TOD issues and opportunities relative to existing land development code and city, county, or regional policies, including limitations on density and parking requirements.

Performance runs through September 30, 2028, with work performed in Tennessee. The Brainerd Road/Lee Highway Corridor has been identified in Plan Chattanooga, the Chattanooga region's comprehensive plan, as a high-capacity transit spine for the metropolitan area. Transit-oriented development is identified as a critical element to allow transit to compete with single-occupancy vehicles while supporting regional economic development and affordable housing goals.

Activities

The primary focus of the study is to identify market potential for TOD and optimal station locations. Understanding the potential for future residential and commercial development responding to chattanoogas growth will help to locate stations with the highest ridership and potentially strengthening the BRT corridor and setting the framework for future land use patterns. This task will also identify potential funding sources including value capture opportunities to encourage TOD. Assess potential BRT ridership resulting from potential TOD areas. Using the regions travel demand model ridership benefits resulting from future TOD areas will be assessed. Policy and regulation diagnostic - explore TOD issues/opportunities relative to the existing land development code and other city county or regional policies. These policies and regulations will be assessed for their ability to support or create barriers to TOD. Key topics to be explored include limitations on density (e.g. fars height limits) parking minimums/maximums fees procedural burdens and other requirements that discourage TOD. These will be compared against TOD best practices and recommendations provided.affordable housing strategy. Chattanoogas recent growth has already drawn concerns about displacement of the regions most vulnerable populations. A significant transit investment could exacerbate those concerns in the brainerd/LEE corridor. Particular emphasis will be on assessing barriers to development of affordable housing and identifying opportunities to connect affordable housing to employment and training opportunities as well as service and retail needs. Best practices to promote affordable housing (such as inclusionary zoning density bonuses fee reduction procedural streamlining) and anti-displacement strategies will be evaluated.stakeholder engagement: conduct meetings with key employers business organizations affordable housing developers for-profit developers and neighborhood groups to identify potential development nodes and barriers to TOD.community engagement: conduct online and in-person events to educate the public about BRT benefits TOD opportunities. This task will include development of materials for presentation both on-line and in-person as well as stand-alone materials for display at community centers. Evaluate pedestrian and bicycle connections to potential TOD areas: identify existing and planned PED/bike routes within station walksheds and identify gaps or areas in need of improvement. Identify ADA accessibility needs.recommendations and implementation strategy: recommendations to encourage and support TOD in the brainerd/LEE corridor and identification of implementation steps identifying resources needed timelines and lead/support responsibilities.key deliverables:1. Project management plan including budget and SCHEDULE2. Stakeholder/community engagement plan and summary report.3. TOD station area assessment identifying potential locations for TOD market-rate and affordable housing opportunities comprehensive plan/zoning recommendations and opportunities for pedestrian and bike connections.4. Summary report highlighting TOD recommendations and implementation strategies.

Expected outcomes

The proposed transit project will create bus rapid transit (BRT) service in the project corridor including BRT stations dedicated bus lanes and bus prioritization improvements along the carta route 4 corridor beginning with mccallie avenue and MLK boulevard in downtown chattanooga continuing along brainerd road east of missionary ridge and then along LEE highway extending to one of the regions largest job centers at enterprise south. The corridor is approximately 17 miles in length. Plan chattanooga has identified several nodes along the corridor for station locations subject to more detailed analysis as part of this proposed study. This TOD capacity study will determine strategies to optimize BRT ridership in the corridor preparing for a future application to ftas capital investment program as a potential new starts or small starts project.

Intended beneficiaries

Citizens of chattanooga TN