Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and transportation commissioner John Schroer released the TDOT transportation plan today, which includes $2 billion dollars in infrastructure investments for 79 projects.
According to a release by the governor's office, through federal funding from the FAST Act, the budget for road projects is increased by two-percent for FY 2017 over FY 2016. Combined with the administration's highway fund repayment in the proposed FY 16-17 budget, the building program will be an estimated $965 million in FY 17 compared to $660 million in FY 16.
Among the projects slated to be under contract by the end of 2016, following approval by the General Assembly, include US 79/SR 13 in Montgomery County, widening the road from Cracker Barrel Drive to International Boulevard.
See the complete list of projects and programs funded in this three-year plan.
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Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is releasing his plan for road construction in Tennessee on Thursday.
The governor tells reporters that the plan will identify the specific projects that will be funded in the next three years.
Haslam has been making a case for increasing the state's gas tax for the first time since 1989 as a way to help cover a $6 billion backlog in transportation project funding.
The governor has said that roads cost three times as much to build than when the tax was last increased, and that drivers pay less because cars get much better fuel mileage.
But lawmakers have been reluctant to take up the measure in an election year, and the governor has acknowledged that a gas tax is unlikely to be considered this year.
