Tennessee Senator Proposes Investing an Additional Billion Dollars in Roads • Tennessee Lookout

Tennessee Senator Mark Pody is pushing for a billion-dollar annual investment into the state’s building fund to speed up highway projects. He believes that this additional funding is necessary to catch up on decades-long infrastructure needs, especially since the current $3.3 billion plan approved by the Legislature is deemed insufficient. The state’s 10-year, $15 billion transportation plan includes several toll lane projects and aims to target 93 projects over the next decade. Pody’s proposal would dedicate sales tax revenue on automobiles and tires to the Department of Transportation for road work.
However, not everyone is on board with Pody’s plan. Senator Becky Massey of Knoxville supports toll lanes as part of an overall transportation plan but is hesitant to attach a specific dollar amount to the proposal. Massey believes that public-private partnerships will help the state leverage more money for road expansion projects and shorten project timelines. On the other hand, Democratic Representative John Ray Clemmons opposes toll lanes, arguing that they will burden motorists with high fees. Clemmons suggests alternative solutions like directing trucks to use bypasses and investing in rail travel infrastructure.
Overall, the debate over funding road construction in Tennessee continues between lawmakers, highlighting differing viewpoints on how to address the state’s transportation needs. While Senator Pody pushes for a significant increase in funding, others like Senator Massey advocate for leveraging public-private partnerships and exploring alternative transportation solutions.

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