Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer have released the 3-year transportation program, featuring approximately $1.5 billion in infrastructure investments for 80 individual project phases in 47 counties, as well as 15 statewide programs.

Tennessee is one of only five states that do not borrow money to fund transportation projects, and the program continues TDOT’s “pay as you go” philosophy, carrying no debt for any transportation initiatives.

Gov. Haslam said, “This program represents a thoughtful, balanced approach to transportation and focuses on expanding economic development opportunities, improving safety and providing important upgrades to our interstate corridors. A quality transportation system is critical to our goal of making Tennessee the number one location in the Southeast for high quality jobs as well as the continued growth of the state’s economy.”

The 3-year, multimodal program funds several improvements to the interstate system, including the addition of truck climbing lanes, interchange projects, and the construction of a 3-mile stretch of Interstate 69.

The program also provides funding for improved access in several communities, including the construction of a diverging diamond interchange on I-40 at SR 66 in Sevier County and a new interchange on I-65 at Highway 109 on the Robertson-Sumner County line.

This is the first 3-year transportation program developed under the new federal transportation funding bill, MAP-21. The bill modifies how transportation dollars are allotted to Tennessee and has a greater emphasis on high volume roads.

Schroer said, “The shifts in federal funding and the changes to how projects qualify for funding has challenged our ability to deliver as many projects as we would like; however, this multimodal program is responsive to the needs of communities across the state and also dedicates important funding to maintaining our infrastructure through our resurfacing and bridge programs.”