Transportation Modernization Act

In 2023, the Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation called the Transportation Modernization Act, or TMA, which includes an unprecedented additional $3.3 billion from the state’s General Fund, signifying a surge of necessary resources to enhance the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s traditional work program. This money is divided among the four regions across the state, with $750 million going to each one.  There are six programs covered by this fund, and one of them is a grant program called the Statewide Partnership Program.  Applications were due by August 2023, and the Johnson City MTPO submitted an application for the Knob Creek Road Project – Section 1. Of the 106 grants received across the state, the Knob Creek Road Project – Section 1 was one of six awarded.  A total of $58 million will fund the construction phase of this project in FY 2027.

Inflation has hit TDOT hard.  There have been double digit increases in the cost of materials and labor for construction.  In light of these increased costs, TDOT has produced its first-ever 10-Year Project Plan. This plan sets clear expectations for what projects can be completed with the money they expect to receive. The TDOT Commission Butch Eley coined the term, “What gets started, gets finished.” TDOT aims for a five-year turnaround from planning to construction when delivering projects.

The TMA also authorized Public-Private Partnerships which allows TDOT to help fix urban congestion through Choice Lanes, freeing up state dollars for much-needed projects in rural areas. TDOT’s goal for this is to build a program, not just a project.