Five Corridors of High Capacity Transit Coming to Nashville

A 25-year regional transit plan, which includes five corridors for light rail or bus rapid transit lines, is taking shape in Nashville,

1 minute read

August 15, 2017, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"As Mayor Megan Barry's administration pursues the first spoke of a light rail system in Nashville, a new report shows how the entire five-corridor network could work, what it might look like, and where Metro faces construction and right-of-way challenges," reports Joey Garrison.

The Nashville Metro Transit Authority recently released a "High Capacity Transit Briefing Book" [pdf] to map out the prospective system. "The report's release completes the final phase of the region's nMotion transit plan, which outlines a proposed $6 billion transit system for Middle Tennessee over the next 25 years," adds Garrison.

Planetizen covered the nMotion plan on several occasions after the plan's initial release in August 2016, approval in September 2016, and initial funding inquiries in November 2016. Currently, Mayor Barry is pitching the idea of a referendum in May to "let voters decide whether to dedicate new tax revenue to pay for transit projects."

The article includes more details on the routes and modes targeted in the plan.

Friday, August 11, 2017 in Tennessean

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

2 hours ago - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

1 hour ago - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

3 hours ago - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

4 hours ago - Happy Cities