The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen has partnered with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to secure additional funding for a downtown pedestrian bridge in Kingsport, Tennessee.

This agreement would provide $500,000 towards a pedestrian bridge connecting Brickyard Park and Brickyard Village to downtown.

The city had received a grant at the beginning of the project, but due to inflation and rising construction costs, the city requested more.

“In this year’s legislative package, we requested the State of Tennessee to augment the previous funding allocation due to inflation and anticipated cost increases,” City Manager Chris McCartt explained. “State Representative Bud Hulsey, who advocates for Kingsport, successfully facilitated the allocation of over half a million dollars to the city this year.”

The pedestrian bridge, a project nearly eight years in the making, aims to provide a safer linkage to downtown Kingsport.

“Currently, there are two routes downtown,” McCartt noted. “You can cross four railroad tracks, or take a longer route off Martin Luther King Dr. to Main St. We propose closing the railroad intersection and constructing a pedestrian bridge to ensure safer passage for residents and event attendees.”

McCartt added that Kingsport is in the process of planning more projects to make downtown more walkable and accessible.

“Our vision includes a five-acre green space to host various events, encouraging visitors to shop, dine, and participate in downtown activities. Redeveloping Cement Hill into a passive park will further enhance the economic vitality of downtown. Our goal is to increase pedestrian traffic in the area,” McCartt added.

The pedestrian bridge is currently being designed. It is expected to be under construction within the next year and a half.