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SAVING LOCAL FORESTS GREEN HILLS DANGEROUS SIDEWALK Page Page 5 NEWS 8 VOLUME 29 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 NUMBER 6 Rerouting freight rail traffic could The Nashville native blazing a trail for female engineers create passenger rail service David Smith Staff Writer When Elizabeth Surface, who goes by Ibba, entered Vanderbilt University as a stu- dent, she had never heard of a structural engineer. “I had a tool kit, which no one else in my dorm had, so I hooked up stereos for everyone. I also wired a heater vent open on a Fiat. Someone said “you should be an engineer,” so I checked into it.” This week, Surface became the new president of Ross Bryan Associates Inc. She is the first woman to lead the 67- year-old Nashville-based struc- tural engineering firm. “During our succession planning, Ibba became the clear Elizabeth “Ibba” Surface choice to be the voice of leader- ship in our firm,” said Don ful. I’ve had some great men- Yarbrough, who has served as tors, who are men, and I have CSX train departing Nashville station - photo courtesy of R.L. Banks and Associates the firm’s president since 2011 worked in firms where I can and remain as a board member express what I want to do and Wanda Southerland sidered a “simple solution.” oped West End area. Former. and senior principal. be taken seriously. I learned Contributor An organization titled “Go Congressman Bob Clement “She is well respected and early on that I didn’t need to be Developing passenger rail Rail Now” sees the feasibility will serve as honorary co- highly qualified, and has one of the boys and I’ve never service for Nashville and of rerouting freight rail traf- chair since he was instrumen- worked in every part of our pursued that. I learned early to Middle Tennessee seems to fic around Middle Tennessee tal in obtaining federal funds business,” he continued. speak up and I still do.” have become the little engine in order to free up railroad for the Land Port. Since the An experienced, licensed When mentoring young engi- that can’t. space for regional passenger group is non-partisan, the sec- engineer, Surface has worked in neers, she suggested listening Waiting is no longer an rail service. Economic devel- ond co-chair will be from the all service lines of the firm to what speaks to you when you option, and “every year we opment would be an added other side of the political aisle. since joining Ross Bryan take your introductory classes. wait, the conditions get more bonus. Williams said that Bland sup- Associates in 1979 as an engi- “Engage in school projects challenging,” Metro Transit “The rail is already there,” ports the group. Nashville is a neering intern and served on so you know what to expect. Authority CEO Steve Bland said Go Rail Now spokesper- key hub in the CSX rail sys- the company’s board of direc- Internships are great experi- stated last year when nMotion son Rick Williams, adding that tem, routing 60 trains per day, tors since 2004. ences and can open a lot of — Metro’s transit plan — was once the freight rail bypass is according to CSX information When Surface first entered doors. I got my first internship released. He said that Nashville completed, “We would have through the Nashville area the field of engineering as a through an adjunct professor is at “its moment” to take the ability overnight to start toward five key cities: Atlanta, young woman, she faced some who brought me in as a techni- action now. The transit’s plan passenger rail service.” Birmingham, Chicago, Louis- tough situations. However, cian and later hired me as an hasn’t been funded. The organization is com- ville and Memphis. It is also thanks to mentors she learned engineer,” she said. “Seek out That was then. prised of members from the the second largest rail yard to push through and speak up. connections with people who... Now, the engine is being StopAMP group who opposed and transfer facility in the... “Since becoming an engi- stoked with what is being con- the plan in already well-devel- See Rail Lines on Page 3 neer, people have been respect- See Engineering on Page 8 4-DAY Thu. 2/9 40ºF Fri. 2/10 60ºF Sat.2/11 66ºF Sun. 2/12 69ºF FORECAST Rain 0% 26ºF Rain 0% 51ºF Rain 40% 63ºF Rain 60% 44ºF # 338 # NASHVILLE, TN PERMIT PERMIT TN NASHVILLE, E-MAIL [email protected] FAX 615-298-1015 TICKED OFF HOT-LINE 615-298-5597 U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S. PRESORTED STANDARD PRESORTED NEWS/SOCIAL NEWS/ADVERTISING 615-298-1500 www.gcanews.com TICKED OFF E-MAIL tickedoff @gcanews.com Page 2- The News, February 9, 2017 Join us in our commitment to helping those in need. 3rd Annual Luggage Trade-In Program February 9 – 28, 2017 Receive a $100 credit for bringing in a Briggs & Riley rolling bag, or a $50 credit for a non-Briggs rolling bag, toward the purchase of a Briggs rolling bag. Gently used luggage will be donated to a local charity dedicated to enhancing the lives of others. Rolling business cases and non-rolling bags excluded. One traded-in bag equals one credit. Limit one credit for each eligible Briggs & Riley bag purchased. Grace’s Plaza 4009 Hillsboro Road Nashville, TN 37215 615-385-4000 “We’re The Place” February 9, 2017, The News- Page 3 From Page One host regional rail trains. In Williams said the first step is ball,” Williams said, adding that to fix Middle Tennessee’s tran- turn, according to Williams, the to conduct the feasibility study if President Trump plans to sit problems by using passenger Rail Lines... rails could service the area for that will be conducted by spend a trillion dollars on infra- rail service.” years to come. Arlington, Virginia-based R.L. structure, “then I want to get It could take 10 years or southeast and has three types of With development opportu- Banks & Associated, Inc., that about $15 billion of that money longer to complete this project. freight trains: Intermodal, Unit nities comes challenges. CSX’s has 60 years of rail experience and Manifest / Mixed. Nashville area is at capacity; and has completed studies in Go Rail Now suggests relo- therefore, the company is will- several major cities. The study cating Radnor Yard, currently ing to share its tracks with pas- is expected to cost approximate- located in South Nashville near senger traffic. ly $350,000. Interstate 65, which would Other challenges include Once the study is completed, divert a significant number of obtaining sufficient funding the plans will be submitted to through freight trains and free and determining the benefits to CSX. up track capacity that could CSX. “We are behind the eight The Go Rail Now logo CSX train arriving into North Radnor station. Ideal freight bypass rail line including potential passenger rail routes. The freight bypass is - photo courtesy of R.L. Banks and Associates represented in yellow. Ambitious study finds per person greenhouse gas emissions above the national average David Smith due to buildings and facilities. Staff Writer The Livable Nashville report A committee of prominant therefore recommends reducing leaders unveiled recommenda- energy usage in Metro facilities tions this week for an ambitious and increasing the govern- new municipal sustainability ment’s renewable energy portfo- plan to help address environ- lio. mental, economic, and equity “We’ve assembled these draft challenges in Nashville. recommendations with a vision One big key takeway from for a future Nashville that has the plan: Nashville needs to less waste, more green space, reduce greenhouse gas emis- greater energy efficiency, safer sions. and more accessible opportuni- The plan, which included a ties to walk, bike or take transit, community inventory, looked at breathable air and drinkable the entire city’s greenhouse gas water, and clean power,” said emissions, and found them Committee Co-Chair Beth Geer. slightly lower than they were in Other key strategies from the 2005 and 2011. But average emis- drafted plan include: reducing sions per person were still above Metro Government’s green- the national average. house gas emissions by 20 per- Mayor Barry launched the cent by 2020 and 80 percent by Livable Nashville Committee 2050; increasing energy used last May to create the draft, from renewable resources, which is available for public reduce the amount of resources review and comment at the Metro buildings are using, plant Mayor’s Office website for the a half-million trees countywide Valentine’s Gift Event next month. by 2050 to achieve a 50 percent The Metro inventory, which countywide canopy cover, and Receive our Lilla Cuff for $39 with a purchase of $100 or more. looked at government buildings, transitioning 50 percent of 2209 Bandywood Drive vehicles and other greenhouse Metro’s vehicle fleet to electric gas producers, found a 45 per- engines or alternative fuels by in the courtyard on bandywood cent increase since 2005, largely 2025. Page 4- The News, February 9, 2017 Founder and CEO of domestic violence center resigns The Mary Parrish Center port services.“Valerie Wynn founder and CEO Valerie Wynn created the Mary Parrish announced her resignation at Center as an outgrowth of her the domestic violence center advocacy for abused women and will join her husband and children, and we are forev- Mark Wynn as a full-time part- er grateful for the vision and ner in Wynn Consulting. passion she has shown,” said After serving as a counselor Mitchell Korn, chairman of with the Metro Police Depart- the center’s board.

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