Image Credit: TDOTNews / YouTube
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has suggested “choice lanes” as a possibility for minimizing traffic issues along I-24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro.
As TDOT seeks to get its Southeast Choice Lanes Project underway, they are holding public meetings to gather input from commuters on their thoughts regarding the addition of those optional lanes along that route.
Meetings will be held in Smyrna on September 30, Nashville on October 1, and Antioch on October 2. A virtual option will also take place on September 30.
People who opt to travel choice lanes would pay for travel that typically moves at a continuous rate of about 45 miles per hour during rush hour times. This would allow them to bypass lanes of traffic that are moving much more slowly or are stopped.
While similar to toll roads in that they do require payment, choice roads still have free lanes available for travel if drivers opt out of those choice lanes.
TDOT says choice lanes would reduce traffic times, provide greater transit options, increase economic growth in the area, improve air quality due to less idling on the roadways, and generate revenue.
The I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes would be a first for Tennessee with the construction of choice lanes along approximately 26 miles of the interstate. While plans are still in the beginning stages, TDOT has been coordinating with private sector partners to determine whether the plan would be successful.
One Response
As one Nashvillian once told me, “The key to getting around Crashville is stay OFF the interstates”.