Johnson City Commission still pursuing old Tweetsie Line

Johnson City leaders are still working on the railroad, hoping to nail down a deal that would turn an old rail line into biking and hiking trails. At Thursday night’s commission meeting, leaders reaffirmed their interest in the old Tweetsie Line.

The 10 miles of track between Johnson City and Elizabethton hasn’t been used in years. According to Assistant City Manager Charlie Stahl, the city’s attorneys are now in the process of contacting the railroad. They hope the owners of the line will come up with an agreement so the city can take control and turn the rails into trails, Stahl said.

“The City Commission is still interested in pursuing the rail line,” Stahl said. “They directed the attorneys to see if they can move forward with the city’s efforts to buy the line. They want to see if the railroad is willing to work with the city.”