U.S. 27 and Olgiati Bridge projects
I-24 interchange at Broad Street and Market Street
SR-320 East Brainerd Road
SR-317 Apison Pike
TDOT Commissioner John Schroer announced Tuesday that work will proceed on the $80 million widening and reworking of U.S. 27 downtown and the widening of Olgiati Bridge as soon as the current major project On 27 north of the bridge is complete.
The project is budgeted for construction in 2015, he said at a press conference on Stringer's Ridge.
The project had been stalled after changes were suggested at a RiverCity Company-sponsored forum - especially related to the Fourth Street interchange.
Jennifer Flynn of TDOT said Fourth Street will remain as designed, but there will be a signal at MLK Boulevard instead of a roundabout that had been recommended by some city officials.
Commissioner Schroer also said work will proceed on widening East Brainerd Road from Graysville Road to Bel-Air Road (1.9 miles). The $14.5 million project is set for construction in 2014.
Another local project announced was the $26.7 million widening of Apison Pike from the intersection at Old Lee Highway to SR 321. The project is 2.2 miles.
The local projects are part of the state's three-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.
“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,” Governor Bill Haslam said. “A quality transportation system is critical to our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs as well as the continued growth of the state’s economy.”
The three-year, multimodal program funds several improvements to the interstate system, including the addition of truck climbing lanes, interchange projects and the construction of a three-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 three-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.
“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,” Commissioner Schroer said. “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.”
The program includes projects to expand TDOT’s Intelligent Transportation System, adding cameras and Dynamic Message Signs on I-24 over Monteagle Mountain and on I-65 north and south of Nashville. TDOT will also fund several projects that represent strong partnerships with local governments, including U.S. 51 (Elvis Presley Boulevard) in Memphis and SR 218 in Henry County.
The program includes dedicated funding for 15 transportation programs including Rockfall Mitigation, Spot Safety Improvement, the statewide HELP Program and new initiativeto enhance connections between modes, such as sidewalks and park-and-ride facilities at key locations along state routes. It also provides funding for transit agencies, Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations and private non-profit organizations in all 95 counties in Tennessee. TDOT will also administer funding for rehabilitation projects for shortline railways and bridges in several Tennessee counties as well as programs that provide for improvements at the state’s airports.
To view a complete list of projects and programs funded through the 2013-2016 three-year multimodal program visit http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/documents/FY14.pdf.