Governor Phil Bredesen today released the final three-year transportation program of his administration which includes completion of several major strategic corridor projects and continues funding for transit, rail, water and aviation programs.

The three-year Multi-modal Work Program for 2010-2013 includes 238 transportation projects & programs, including 175 individual highway project phases, 31 transit, water, rail & aviation initiatives, and 32 transportation programs serving Tennesseans across the state.

 

“TDOT’s three-year multimodal work program for 2010 to 2013 represents a responsible, balanced approach to transportation that includes a number of projects identified as top priorities by the state’s planning organizations,” said Governor Bredesen. “One of the priorities I set when I became Governor was to see TDOT become a more open and responsive agency.

There have been many changes since then, including the shift to multi-modal planning and creation of a new 25-year multi-modal transportation plan, new programs to better protect the environment, and a renewed focus on listening to the citizens of the state. I'm pleased this final three-year program accomplishes many of the goals I set forth for this administration."

The three-year multimodal program funds the completion the U.S. 64 corridor improvements in southern middle and western Tennessee as well as the completion of State Route 840 in middle Tennessee. 

The program lists projects funded for the various stages of development, including location and environmental studies, preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and many operational components in the first year of the plan.  It also proposes funding for a portion of the second and third year plans leaving flexibility for additional projects in those years.

“Through this three-year multimodal program, the department will complete the Better Bridges bonding program in three years rather than the four originally planned, will address a number of strategic corridors identified in the 10-year program and includes several projects to address congestion in both urban and rural areas,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Years of planning and study have gone into each of the projects funded for construction.”

 

The program includes approximately $44 million per year in funding for transit agencies, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and private non-profit organizations in all 95 counties in Tennessee. 

Public transit programs funded through the three-year multimodal program include grants to urban and rural transit agencies, a continuation of the intercity bus demonstration project and transit programs serving the elderly and persons with disabilities.

TDOT will also fund rehabilitation projects for shortline railways and bridges. An average of $12.3 million each year is devoted to repairing, rehabilitating and replacing aging shortline rail tracks and bridges in at least 28 counties in Tennessee. 

In addition, the program includes two Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER grants, awarded to the state through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

TDOT’s Aeronautics Division will continue to administer funding for the comprehensive Airport Capital Improvement Plan which funds statewide programs to enhance aviation safety and education, the Air Carrier Airports program for maintenance and improvements at Tennessee’s six air carrier airports and the Statewide General Aviation program which funds improvements at the state’s 75 public/general aviation airports.

The three-year program also includes funding 32 transportation programs including Rockfall Mitigation, litter prevention, Adopt-A-Highway, Transportation Enhancement, Roadscapes, Type II Noise Wall, Safe Routes to School, Roadway Safety Improvements, and Rural Planning Organizations.