TRANSPORTATION COALITION HIGHLIGHTS TDOT PROJECTS BACKLOG

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 13, 2015) – The Department of Transportation has released a list of its backlogged, unfunded projects that exceeds $6 billion and impacts most of Tennessee’s counties.

The list clearly shows the need for additional revenues to keep Tennessee’s transportation infrastructure strong, says an official with the Transportation Coalition of Tennessee.

“Without additional revenue, these unfunded projects will be substantially delayed for years or may never be undertaken or completed,” said Susie Alcorn, executive director of the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance.

“These projects are desperately needed to maintain our existing transportation infrastructure and show how serious the problem is today,” Alcorn said. “These projects are in jeopardy when TDOT is in a maintenance-only situation.”

Chattanooga market: Notable projects in southeast Tennessee include:  Widening of SR-317: $89.4 million  I-24 ( with Broad Street, modification of SR-2, Broad Street, and SR-58, Market Street): $46.2 million  I-124/US-27 (north of I-24 to Olgiati Bridge): $25 million  SR-60 (Bradley County, four-lane north of I-75, Westlake Drive, to SR-306): $13.8 million

Jackson market: Notable projects in west Tennessee include:  US-79/SR-76 (Milan to McKenzie): $39.6 million  Widening of I-40 in Madison County (US-412 [Hollywood Avenue] to US-45 [Highland Avenue]): $60.8 million  Construction of bypasses in Lexington (SR-459), Somerville (SR-460) and Bolivar (SR- 458): $127.4 million  SR-186 (US-45/Keith Short Bypass, Casey Jones Village, Old Hickory Boulevard to I- 40, Madison County): $3 million

Knoxville market: Notable projects in include:  SR-115 (US-129, from Alcoa Highway, Blount County, to the in Knox County): $271.7 million  SR-162 (Pellissippi Parkway extension from SR-33 to US-321, Blount County): $14 million  SR-62 (Western Avenue between Texas Avenue and Major Avenue in Knoxville): $19.2 million  SR-35/US-411 (Sims Road, Sevier County, to Grapevine Hollow Road, Jefferson County): $50.8 million  SR-33 (Knox County line to south of Maynardville city limits): $32.2 million  SR-61 (Maynardville to Luttrell north city limits): $5 million  SR-73 (US-321, Buckhorn Road to Pittman Center): $29.9 million  SR-71 (SR-35 and SR-388 [US-411] to Macon Lane): $7.7 million

Memphis market: Notable projects in southwest Tennessee include:  I-69 (from Kentucky line to Memphis): More than $1 billion  SR-14 (Austin Peay Highway, from Old Covington Pike to Tipton County line): $75.4 million  SR-4/US-78 (Lamar Avenue, Mississippi state line to I-240): $229.1 million  I-240 (I-55 to Midtown, Memphis): $50 million  I-240 (Airways interchange): $43 million  I-40 (SR-177, Germantown Road, to SR-205, Collierville-Arlington Road): $65.1 million

Nashville market: Notable projects in middle Tennessee include:  SR-96 (Franklin to Murfreesboro): $82.5 million  I-40 at Donelson Pike interchange (near Nashville International Airport): $57.5 million  SR-397 (Mack Hatcher Parkway, from SR-96 to US-431, northwest bypass): $30.1 million  SR-11 (31A/41A, from north of Nolensville, Williamson County, to intersection of Old Hickory Boulevard, Davidson County – Nippers Corner): $71.4 million  SR-112 (US-41A, Clarksville Highway, from SR-12 Ashland City Highway to SR-155 Briley Parkway): $20 million

“This is another key piece of information about how important it is to invest in our transportation infrastructure and how current funding is not meeting the need. The list of backlogged projects – many of which cross multiple counties – comes on the heels of an economic impact study showing how increased investment in transportation would create thousands of new jobs and would generate millions of dollars in new economic activity.”

Editor’s note: TDOT’s backlog list is broken out by county for your convenience.

ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION COALITION OF TENNESSEE The Transportation Coalition of Tennessee was created to educate the public and state legislators as it seeks an increase and reform in Tennessee’s transportation fees. The coalition aims to recruit other interested parties to join in seeking a comprehensive funding solution to maintain and expand Tennessee’s critical transportation system.

Participants in the Transportation Coalition of Tennessee include businesses, citizens, community leaders, public officials and organizations that are interested in continuing Tennessee’s transportation infrastructure for the long haul.

The Transportation Coalition steering committee includes representatives from the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, Auto Club Group/AAA Tennessee, Tennessee Public Transportation Association, Tennessee Trucking Association, Tennessee County Highway Officials Association, Tennessee Municipal League, American Council of Engineering Companies of Tennessee and Tennessee Road Builders Association.

Tennessee is a pay-as-you-go state, with transportation projects funded primarily by state and federal fuel tax revenues. The dollars are apportioned for state and local projects, which include maintenance, repair and new construction.

For more information or to join the Transportation Coalition of Tennessee, visit the website at www.TransportationCoalitionTN.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Susie Alcorn Executive Director Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance (615) 763-3835

Keith Miles or Alice Chapman MP&F Public Relations (615) 259-4000 [email protected] [email protected]