On Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed that state’s Transportation and Modernization Act into law, providing the state with a new strategy to accommodate its record growth in its rural and urban areas.
The legislation will invest more than $3.3 billion to address traffic congestion and to meet needs across the state, legislators on both sides of the aisle said.
“As families and businesses move to Tennessee in record numbers, we need a transportation plan to keep up with the pace,” Lee said. “Our strategy will meet our state’s transportation needs across rural and urban communities without new taxes or debt. I commend the General Assembly for its partnership to prepare Tennessee for continued growth and economic opportunity.”
The plan not only gives the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) resources to address mobility challenges but also provides for the use of public private partnerships to make more state funds available for rural infrastructure priorities, the state said. The plan also explores solutions like Choice lanes and expands the use of alternative delivery models to save taxpayer money and deliver road projects more efficiently, the department said.
“Tennessee is facing a critical juncture when it comes to mobility, and our new transportation strategy will prepare TDOT to build and maintain roads across rural and urban communities,” said TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “I appreciate the work of the legislature and key partners to ensure continued prosperity throughout Tennessee.”