Public-Private Partnerships (P3s)

James K. Polk Building, Suite 700
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN  37243
Phone:  615.687.7277

The Executive Director of Public-Private Partnerships (P3) leads TDOT’s efforts to partner with the private sector to design, build, finance, operate and maintain Choice Lane projects in Tennessee. The Transportation Modernization Act (TMA) gave TDOT the authority to enter into P3s as a delivery method to address congestion and improve travel time reliability in urban areas. Choice Lanes are new, additional lanes that use pricing to proactively manage demand. Choice Lanes typically operate at around 45 mph during rush hours when traditional lanes are barely moving or even at a standstill during peak periods. Tennessee’s first Choice Lane project is proposed along the I-24 corridor between Nashville and Murfreesboro.

About P3s

Public-Private Partnerships (P3) are partnerships formed between public entities like TDOT and private companies, allowing Tennessee to better allocate the limited resources for transportation projects by leveraging private-sector innovation and capital. In addition to the assigning responsibilities of designing and constructing projects, P3s allow the TDOT to bring a private partner to support the finance, operation and/or maintenance of projects, such as the Choice lanes. P3s allow for shared risks, accelerated project delivery, provide access to additional capital, enable a longer-term view of asset management, and may result in the reduction of public costs, with debts privately financed without any obligations to the state. As a result, Tennessee can offer enhanced and expanded mobility options faster and with improved driver experience and quality, all while freeing up state funds to continue providing transportation improvements in rural communities, such as replacing or improving existing bridges or roadways or widening the interstate system to three lanes.