Tennessee has been experiencing an incredible population boom in recent years, with estimates projecting we will reach nearly eight million people by 2040.
This is evidence that common-sense governance, fiscal responsibility and conservative policies promote prosperity. We are a beacon of success in the nation, and it’s certainly no surprise that so many Americans are drawn here.
This growth will help move our state forward by enhancing our workforce, fostering an environment of innovation and improving our economy. But, if we don’t act quickly, it could also cause supply chain disruptions, longer commutes and crumbling, dangerous roadways.
Infrastructure is something most Tennesseans use every day. Our state boasts more than 96,000 miles of roadway, nearly 15,000 miles of state highways and 20,000 bridges from Mountain City to Memphis and everywhere in between.
Quality roads and bridges are vital for our state’s continued success. We’ve made important strides in recent years, setting aside $25.6 billion in highway and road funding between fiscal years 2010 and 2024. We must further invest in infrastructure like our lives depend on it – because they do.
Our fiscally responsible, pay-as-we-go model ensures Tennessee’s road projects are funded with cash on hand and not borrowed money. As a result of these important and necessary investments, we have been ranked sixth in the nation in road quality and 15th for transportation by U.S. News and World Report. Our state highways were also ranked top three for highway performance and cost-effectiveness in 2023 by Reason Magazine.
It's difficult to imagine that the Volunteer State had just 240 miles of paved roads in 1924. Our initial two-cent gas tax was passed and enacted the same year when we were still considered a “detour state,” equivalent to 36 cents adjusting for inflation. But today, our state’s gas tax is 27 cents.
Nearly 90% of our interstates and 70% of our state routes were in good condition a decade ago. Today, both of those numbers are closer to 50%. With our booming population and aging infrastructure, we must get serious about adding additional revenue streams to fund our roads.
Not only do Tennesseans rely on our roads, but our central location makes us a hub of logistics that stimulates the nation’s economy. We cannot allow our state to become a bottleneck for America’s freight traffic.
The gas tax is currently the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) main revenue stream, a reality that has been effective historically but has become unsustainable in the past couple of years.
No recurring funding has been allocated to TDOT over the past decade except for this year, even as Tennessee’s balanced budget has doubled. Further, of the roughly estimated $950 million gas tax revenue for fiscal year 2024-25, $570 million will go to TDOT. A large chunk of this TDOT funding will go toward salaries, equipment maintenance and other expenses required to help the department run. As operating costs have increased, the number of dollars going toward road and bridge resurfacing, new construction and reconstruction is declining.
The General Assembly allocates significant recurring funding to most state departments each year, dollars that are necessary for our state to thrive. We must also begin prioritizing infrastructure by providing similar recurring funding for TDOT from the annual state budget. This is a common-sense way to allow the department to deliver quick and effective results for Tennesseans who deserve safe and smooth roadways.
Additionally, a bill making its way through the legislature this year could help our situation by setting aside the sales tax revenue on new and used cars and tires – roughly one billion dollars a year – for TDOT. This would be much-needed funding to move Tennessee forward without raising taxes.
As the chairs of the House and Senate Transportation Committees, we understand the dire situation our state will be in if we don’t change lanes quickly. But we also understand that Tennessee is a beacon of prosperity in our nation for a reason. Our state can – and will – lead the nation in infrastructure if we invest in it like the priority it is.
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State Rep. Dan Howell of House District 22 chairs the House Transportation Committee. State Sen. Becky Massey of Senate District 6 chairs the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee.