The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) recently revealed its first-ever proposed 10-year fiscally-constrained project plan with the goal of better communicating with citizens and communities of the long-term investment strategy for infrastructure in Tennessee.
The $15 billion fiscally constrained plan includes both the annual TDOT work program budget of approximately $1.2 billion for 10 years plus the $3 billion State General Fund appropriation provided in the Transportation Modernization Act (TMA).
There are 93 site-specific capacity-type projects in the plan, 46 of which are funded fully or in part by the $3 billion. For the first time, TDOT has identified the funding necessary to complete all projects in the plan, ensuring what gets started, gets finished.
“As families and businesses continue moving to Tennessee in record numbers, our transportation assets must be ready to serve our citizens and visitors," said Governor Bill Lee in a statement. "I am proud of TDOT for their leadership in creating this 10-year project plan to guide investments in rural and urban communities that will modernize our transportation systems."
This project plan is supported by a new data-driven prioritization process that allows for a more objective review of infrastructure projects across Tennessee. The plan is a road map that will be reevaluated annually to consider the changing needs of the people, economy and infrastructure.
Fifty-five percent of the $15 billion is identified for construction projects reflected on the 10-year project plan list, with the remaining 45 percent budgeted for programs that TDOT allocates annually based on need. These programs include, but are not limited to, resurfacing and bridge repair.
Further, TDOT will allocate an additional approximately $6 billion in state and federal funds over the next 10 years (nearly $600 million annually) in partnership with airports, transit agencies, counties, cities, and other entities to address multimodal access, mobility, and safety.
“TDOT is proud to establish this fiscally responsible infrastructure investment program for the state of Tennessee,” said Butch Eley, deputy governor and TDOT commissioner, in a statement. “This plan focuses efforts on what can be effectively delivered by TDOT within available revenue, further opening the communication with local communities on what is feasible. We know the outstanding need for infrastructure projects across Tennessee is at least over $30 billion, however, this long-term plan is a solid step toward providing a safer and more reliable transportation network for generations to come.”
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