OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — A company's wish to use Oak Ridge's existing railroad tracks could sidetrack the city's plans to build an airport.
Over the last 12 years, Oak Ridge has discussed building an airport at the old K-25 site in Oak Ridge. Community leaders successfully lobbied the state to invest millions of dollars in the project.
"We're the largest city in the state of Tennessee without a general aviation airport," said Mark Watson, the Oak Ridge City Manager.
However, a local company wants to use the railroad tracks left over at the K-25 site, which would go through the airport's runway.
The City of Oak Ridge asked engineers to reconsider the plan and build a bridge over the railroad tracks so the design could include both the runway and the tracks.
Dr. Watson said the city is now considering whether to keep or get rid of the railroad tracks. He said if he had to, he would choose to move forward with the airport project.
Oak Ridge has spent $1.7 million to design the airport so far. They have more than $37 million in grants for the airport, including millions from the state.
Watson said business leaders want an airport close to Oak Ridge, especially because Oak Ridge National Laboratory produces time-sensitive radioisotopes, which can treat cancer.
"We're talking about minutes from the production facility to the airport," said Dr. Watson.
The Oak Ridge City Manager said he believes the possibility of an airport being built in the city is high. Previously, Oak Ridge targeted late 2025 for the airport to open. With the re-design, Dr. Watson thinks the airport will likely open in spring 2026.