Interstate 24 Southeast Choice Lanes

History and Background

Historic growth in Tennessee has increased traffic levels in urban areas. The resulting chronic congestion, which spans key corridors, stresses the urgency to modernize infrastructure to meet current and future growth. TDOT’s Congestion Studies estimate that $30 billion (2022) is needed to address both urban and rural congestion in Tennessee. Choice Lanes are an emerging urban congestion solution now possible in Tennessee with the authorization of P3s.

The additional state funding provided through the Transportation Modernization Act expands TDOT’s opportunities for federal grants and accelerates urban congestion projects, including Choice Lanes. TDOT’s 10-Year Project Plan identified the I-24 Southeast corridor between I-40 in Nashville and I-840 in Murfreesboro as a priority urban congestion relief project to deliver as Tennessee’s first Choice Lanes project, and the Transportation Modernization Board approved the proposed Project to be added to TDOT’s 3-Year Plan and advance environmental studies on February 26, 2024. The proposed Choice Lanes on I-24 Southeast are part of a larger program of proposed Choice Lanes projects in some of the most congested areas of Tennessee. 

Utilizing a P3 for Choice Lanes is a powerful approach to addressing urban-area congestion and preserving critical funds to address congestion-related challenges in rural areas, like widening interstates to six lanes. Tennessee's Choice Lanes would be new lanes—funded in partnership with the private sector— 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.

Public Involvement and Engagement

In accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations and under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an environmental document is required that identifies the significance of a project’s environmental impact.

Environmental studies are underway, and the project team will communicate and coordinate with the public and stakeholders often. Public information meetings will take place in August 2024, where the public can provide official comments about the project and its potential impacts.

Upcoming Public Meetings

Wednesday, August 14, 5 p.m.
Virtual Public Information Meeting
TDOT’s Website

Wednesday, August 21, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Smyrna Event Center
100 Sam Ridley Parkway E, Smyrna, TN 37167

Wednesday, August 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Fairgrounds Nashville
401 Wingrove Street, Nashville, TN 37203

Thursday, August 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Southeast Community Center
5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy #202, Antioch, TN 37013

TDOT held an introduction live stream for stakeholders on March 21, 2024.  

Public Involvement Resources

• TDOT’s Public Involvement Plan
• TDOT’s Policy on Highway Noise Abatement
• Environmental Justice

Is your organization or group interested in learning more about the proposed project? Click here to request a speaker to discuss the proposed I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project.

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Project Imagery & Visuals

Choice Lanes Video Library:

Project Materials

• Project Fact Sheet
• Transit Benefits
  
• Choice Lanes FAQ
• TDOT's 10-Year Project Plan
• More information about the Transportation Modernization Act