Rail Trail Authority Recommends Engineering Group To Lead Expansion Efforts

The Tennessee Central Rail Trail Authority approved an engineering group to lead a possible expansion of the trail Monday.

Chair Brian Payne said said the board received two proposals to extend the trail east from Algood to Parragon Road. Payne said after a subcommittee scored the firms, the board moved forward with RaganSmith Associates out of Nashville.

“It was relatively close throughout, but it was basically because of RaganSmith’s prior experience on our trail and those relationships weighted them,” Payne said. “That’s why they generally scored a little higher.”

Payne said the board’s recommendation will be shared with the members of the Rail Trail including Putnam County, Cookeville and Algood. Algood City Administrator Keith Morrison said the next step is to negotiate a price for the design phase of the expansion.

“At this point, I will reach out to Randy Porter and see if we need to vote on the acceptance of this,” Morrison said. “Then, you all can begin negotiations.”