Build With Us
The Transportation Modernization Act (TMA) fundamentally changed the way TDOT delivers projects. The TMA accomplished this generational change in infrastructure policy without raising taxes, issuing road debt, spending a disproportionate amount of funds in urban areas, reducing our maintenance budget or proposing toll roads.
An investment strategy for the $3 billion general fund transfer approved in April 2023 evenly distributed funds across all four TDOT regions to advance critical transportation projects. TDOT innovated its project prioritization process to develop its first-ever 10-Year Project Plan.
The 10-Year Project Plan includes the projects funded through the TMA as well as other highway investments TDOT plans to make over the next 10 years. This fiscally constrained plan created a transportation system of critical projects across the state of Tennessee. Each of the four TDOT regions will see projects delivered that enhance mobility and safety, fuel economic growth and improve Tennesseans’ quality of life. *This plan will be updated annually on the website.
Map of 10-Year Projects Plan
Prioritization Process
TDOT has re-envisioned its prioritization process to allow TDOT to select projects based on performance-based goals and criteria. This is an evolution in mindset and philosophy for TDOT, which will provide improved communication and accountability for taxpayers. The new project evaluation process considers three important dimensions of project delivery: performance, delivery time and cost. The transportation goals considered for inclusion in the current 10-Year Project Plan are:
- Maximizing traveler safety and security
- Reducing congestion and managing travel demand to support an efficient system for people, goods and services
- Supporting the state’s economy
- Preserving and protecting the transportation system
- Supporting livable and sustainable communities through multimodal integration
- Accelerating project delivery
Taking a data-based approach promotes objectivity in project selection, funding and delivery times. Additionally, it results in fewer shifts in prioritization over time, encouraging a “what gets started, gets finished” ethic for TDOT projects.
Choice Lanes
Choice Lanes are new lanes added to congested urban highways that allow motorists an option of paying a voluntary user fee in exchange for faster, more reliable travel speeds and trip times. Unlike toll roads, Choice Lanes give motorists the choice to use existing lanes free of charge.
In addition to providing direct benefits to the customers of the Choice Lanes, the facilities also indirectly benefit all motorists with reduced congestion across all lanes of traffic, improved air quality from less idling and preserved funding for rural highways. Choice Lanes will be designed, built, financed, operated and maintained through a Public-Private Partnership (P3), with TDOT retaining ownership of the road.
This solution demonstrates a powerful approach to addressing urban-area congestion and preserving critical funds to address mobility challenges in rural areas.
Alternative Delivery
Until the TMA passed, TDOT had a limited alternative delivery program, constrained to only use of Design-Build (DB) and Construction Management/General Contractor (CM/GC) delivery methods. The TMA not only allowed TDOT to deliver more projects by alternative methods but also added Progressive Design-Build (PDB) into the alternative delivery toolbox. Expanding TDOT’s tools puts the Department in a strong position to optimize the delivery of complex infrastructure solutions. To date, when used on the right projects, TDOT’s alternative delivery program has demonstrated $22 million in cost savings and almost 70% faster delivery compared to projects delivered traditionally.
Resource Library
| Videos | General Resources |
|---|---|
| Challenges and Solutions | 10-Year Project Plan |
| 10-Year Project Plan Video | Transportation Modernization Act Fact Sheet |
For more information on the projects, please email us at TDOT.BuildWithUs@tn.gov