Image Credit: Canva
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Tennessee’s Transportation Modernization Board approved fees for planned “Choice Lanes” at their second meeting on Wednesday.
According to Bryan Ledford, assistant chief engineer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, TDOT will team up with a builder who will collect data on those who use the choice lanes, including a reading of license plates. Monthly bills will then be sent out to those users.
While a pricing model has not been released, TDOT Communications Officer Rebekah Hammonds previously stated, “The pricing will change during times of peak congestion or off hours.”
Late fees of $2.50 will be added for all bills that are not paid within 30 days, and there is a $25 collection fee for anyone who fails to pay after receiving a third notice.
Individuals who use the lanes at least three times and have racked up fees of $100 or more without making a payment will be labeled as a “habitual offender.”
The lanes will be constructed along a 26-mile stretch of I-24, between the junctions with I-40 and I-840. This area often sees heavily congested traffic. Some will replace grassy medians, while others may be “going elevated.”
TDOT most recently has been working on obtaining NEBA environmental clearance.
Ledford says a list of potential design firms should be released by the first quarter of 2025. TDOT will handle about 30% of the design on the front end, and then the selected firm will finish it.
Their goal is to have all financing completed by the third quarter of 2026.
One Response
Can’t wait to see what firms are bidding. Are they based in USA?? Research on this indicates the fine print always leaves the state in the compensating the builder. It does NOT save money. Politicians thinking they can pass off to others what they cannot fix themselves. Good ‘ol socialistic thinking.