New federal study lists Tri Cities passenger rail as top priority

New documents that are part of a federal study of long-distance passenger rail, list a route through the Tri-Cities as the number one priority for implementation. The report boosts the prospect of getting passenger rail service in Bristol. The concept route goes from Houston to New York, with daytime stops in Atlanta and Chattanooga and night stops in Knoxville and Johnson City. Portions from Roanoke to New York and from Mobile, Alabama to Houston already exist. The concept stretches across 1,800 miles and would serve more than 5 million people. The report puts the cost of the project at $5 billion and would take 15 years. The next step is a report to Congress due by the end of the year.