Proposed locations of Choice Lanes in Tennessee to be announced soon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – On Dec. 18, the Tennessee Department of Transportation commissioner will release the plan for Choice Lanes in the state.

Proposed locations for Choice Lanes will be included in the plans, but user fees will remain undisclosed, at least for now.

TDOT released the following statement regarding the new legislation:

“The Transportation Modernization Act (TMA) was passed by the General Assembly with broad bi-partisan support. As part of any expansion to an interstate, as required by federal law, there is extensive community engagement and feedback opportunities. As required by the TMA, in addition to the review and approval of the Transportation Modernization Board, the entire General Assembly has the opportunity to review and vote on any Choice Lane project involving the expenditure of state funds through the legislative budget process.

Choice Lanes are not traditional toll roads that require drivers pay to get from point A to point B. In fact, prior to the passage of the TMA, toll roads were allowable throughout the state. The TMA removed this provision from statute, allowing only for the addition of Choice Lanes. Just as the name suggests – people have the choice to use the additional lane. Choice Lanes are always owned by the state and are required to be added in a manner that does not reduce the number of existing general purpose lanes. The ability to utilize public private partnerships to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain Choice Lanes allows the department to deliver monumental, mega-projects on our state’s most congested corridors, without raising taxes or issuing debt, while also freeing up additional funds to meet other transportation needs across the state. We want people to spend less time in traffic and more time with the people they love doing the things they enjoy.”

Choice Lanes, also known as “managed lanes” in other states, are a solution proposed by TDOT to tackle traffic congestion in busy areas while also saving funds to improve rural areas. This approach involves widening interstates to three lanes, which will help to alleviate traffic congestion in hotspots.

“Under these arrangements, a private-sector partner enters into an agreement with the state DOT to design, build, finance, operate and maintain Choice Lanes,” TDOT said.

TDOT said the lanes come at a cost to drivers but are optional. They will run alongside existing interstates, providing motorists with an option to bypass congestion when desired. The lanes are expected to offer more reliable trip times.

TDOT stated that Choice Lanes have reduced congestion by 60-70% and increased speed by 10-15% in Texas. On average, 70% of these lanes are constructed by local contractors.

For more information on Choice Lanes, click here.

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