Gov. Lee visits West TN to discuss new infrastructure improvements

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — Governor Bill Lee delivers a historic announcement at the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Many local officials gathered at the TDOT Region 4 Traffic Management Center in Madison County as Governor Lee discussed infrastructure deals that will move Tennessee forward in more than 46 districts.

“Tennessee is one of the fastest growing states in the country. People are moving here and companies are moving here and one of the things that we have to consider is how do we create an environment for that that economic growth. More Tennesseans have access to opportunity. Part of the way we do that is investing in infrastructure,” said Governor Lee.

Tuesday, TDOT announced that — for the first time in history — the state’s annual budget includes additional dedicated, recurring general fund dollars for transportation.

The $80 million in recurring dollars and $1 billion in non-recurring dollars will allow TDOT to accelerate, leverage and add new projects to the department’s fiscally constrained 10-year plan.

“This is money that was already coming in to the state of Tennessee. We’re not raising taxes and we’re not going into debt. We’re just shifting dollars from other places in the budget and putting them towards roads. That is where we need to put them. That is part of shifting our priorities to the places where we think we should put priorities,” said Governor Lee.

The Transportation Modernization Act that passed a few years ago changed the way Tennessee funded roads. The budget this year changes the way the state funds TDOT.

The combination of both solidifies the completion of projects like I-69 between Dyersburg and Kentucky among other construction in region that affects Tennesseans.

“Tennesseans that put their hard earned money into the tax rolls–they expect to have roads, bridges and highways they can drive on; that their plumbers can roll on, that the companies that [are] coming in here to give them jobs have a place to land on. That’s why we’ve changed our priorities in the budget and invest it more heavily in roads,” said Governor Lee.

During the TDOT announcement, Governor Lee also presented a joint resolution passed by the general assembly that honors TDOT for aiding Hurricane Helene victims.

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