Middle Tennessee RTA breaks ground on new Music City Star station

The Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) earlier this week broke ground on a new Music City Star train station in Lebanon, Tenn.

Located in the city's Hamilton Springs subdivision, the $4.1 million station is a central part of the state's first transit-oriented development, RTA officials said in a press release. The station covers 3.2 acres and will include a park and ride lot with 160 lighted spaces.

The Hamilton Springs subdivision will include apartments, homes, retail shops and a large central park with access to a future regional greenway.

"As Middle Tennessee continues to experience unprecedented growth, transit-oriented development projects like Hamilton Springs are essential to provide increased mobility options through the creation of livable, walkable communities that encourage riding the train and other multi-modal transportation options," said RTA Chief Executive Officer Steve Bland.

Local developers Jack and Rick Bell donated land for the station. Construction on the station is expected to wrap up in early 2018.