NASHVILLE – The Transportation Coalition of Tennessee has updated its online interactive maps and corresponding list of transportation infrastructure needs to include $5.3 billion in new projects released by Gov. Bill Haslam in November.

The maps and list, which outline projects in all 95 counties, can be found on the Transportation Coalition’s website at www.TransportationCoalitionTN.org.

The popular interactive maps now include:

• A detailed list of 756 new transportation infrastructure projects totaling $5.3 billion, as released by Haslam in November. These projects have not yet been approved by the Tennessee General Assembly.
• A detailed list of 181 approved but unfunded transportation infrastructure projects totaling $6.1 billion, as identified by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. This list was released to the House Transportation Committee in March.

“The Transportation Coalition of Tennessee is pleased to offer an online resource to help Tennesseans understand the many necessary but unfunded transportation infrastructure needs facing our state,” said Susie Alcorn, Executive Director of the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance. “The popular interactive maps and associated list demonstrate the growing gap between current funding levels and this critical need.

“The federal funding that was approved by Congress in early December is a step in the right direction on the national level, but it won’t solve Tennessee’s infrastructure funding problem. Our state’s leaders must find a long-term, sustainable solution to meet our state’s identified infrastructure needs.”

Representatives of the Transportation Coalition made presentations in more than 30 counties this year to share the list of projects necessary for a transportation system that is high-quality and that will adequately serve Tennessee’s residents, visitors and industries. Haslam and Sen. Jim Tracy have also held numerous hearings, which have led to greater awareness among Tennesseans of the need for funding reform.

State and local transportation projects in Tennessee are funded primarily by state and federal fuel-tax revenues. These projects include maintenance, repair and new construction. Tennessee’s fuel taxes have not changed since 1989, yet the state’s population has increased 14 percent since 2000, bringing more traffic to roads and highways.

ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION COALITION OF TENNESSEE

The Transportation Coalition of Tennessee was created to educate the public and state legislators as it seeks an increase and reform in Tennessee’s transportation fees. The coalition aims to recruit other interested parties to join in seeking a comprehensive funding solution to maintain and expand Tennessee’s critical transportation system.

Participants in the Transportation Coalition of Tennessee include businesses, citizens, community leaders, public officials and organizations that are interested in continuing Tennessee’s transportation infrastructure for the long haul.

The Transportation Coalition steering committee includes representatives from the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, Auto Club Group/AAA Tennessee, Tennessee Public Transportation Association, Tennessee Trucking Association, Tennessee County Highway Officials Association, Tennessee Municipal League, American Council of Engineering Companies of Tennessee and Tennessee Road Builders Association.

Tennessee is a pay-as-you-go state, with transportation projects funded primarily by state and federal fuel tax revenues. The dollars are apportioned for state and local projects, which include maintenance, repair and new construction.

For more information or to join the Transportation Coalition of Tennessee, visit the website at www.TransportationCoalitionTN.org.