Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recently unveiled his Transportation Modernization Act of 2023 in an effort to address transportation needs across the state. Lee’s proposal comes just one month after the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced that population growth in the state “yields economic opportunity” and “outpaces roadway capacity investments.”
In December, Lee and TDOT announced that $26 billion is needed in addition to funds collected as part of the 2017 IMPROVE Act, which increased the gas and diesel tax as well as vehicle registration fees in order to fund 962 road and bridge projects totaling $10.5 billion.
As TN continues to experience tremendous growth, we have an obligation to make strategic transportation investments that prepare our state for continued success – without raising taxes or going into debt. https://t.co/Ten28eRWJQ
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) January 5, 2023
Governor Lee and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley presented TDOT personnel with a presentation of the Transportation Modernization Act of 2023 proposal last week at the Region 3 Complex in Nashville.
Last week, we had the pleasure of hearing from @GovBillLee and our very own Commissioner Eley on the proposal to address transportation and provide solutions for Tennessee's traffic congestion challenges.
Are you ready to #BuildWithUs?
Learn more: https://t.co/I3kSjtjqnn pic.twitter.com/OBc8aql1G8
— myTDOT (@myTDOT) January 9, 2023
The proposal, according to Lee and Eley’s presentation, does not:
- Propose raising the gas tax or issuing road debt
- Spend a disproportionate amount of funds in urban areas, to the the detriment of rural areas
- Reduce road and bridge maintenance budget
- Propose toll roads
Instead, the proposal calls for choice lanes to be built through a partnership with private companies, where drivers will pay to access them. Optional choice lanes allow drivers to access a more “reliable lane” with a “user fee” while still being able to use traditional highway lanes for free.
In addition, the proposal also calls for an increase to the electric vehicle registration fee in order to even out the gas tax for drivers. The current registration fee for an electric vehicle in the state is $100/year.
The proposal also calls for a different approach to project delivery within TDOT. On average, transportation projects take 15 years to deliver and cost 40% over budget due to the extended development phase, according to the department.
During the presentation, Eley noted that while technology continues to increase and get smarter, Tennessee’s infrastructure needs to increase and get smarter as well.
“Tennessee is facing a critical juncture when it comes to transportation and mobility,” said Commissioner Eley. “Our infrastructure investments will ensure that TDOT has the tools needed to quickly deliver and maintain quality roads so that Tennesseans and commerce can move across our state, all while saving taxpayer dollars.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Gov Lee Presents Transportation Plan” by TDOT.
