TDOT proposes choice lanes to alleviate traffic congestion in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) held a public meeting on May 24, 2025, to discuss the proposed I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project. The meeting focused on addressing current and future traffic congestion issues along the corridor, particularly during peak hours.

The discussion began with an overview of the current traffic conditions, highlighting that eastbound traffic worsens during the evening rush hour, leading to slower speeds and longer travel times. Projections indicate that without improvements, morning congestion could extend beyond I-840 within the next 20 to 25 years, resulting in severe delays and potential gridlock during evening hours.

TDOT then presented the proposed build scenarios, which include adding choice lanes along the corridor. This plan aims to introduce two additional travel lanes in each direction, allowing vehicles using these lanes to maintain speeds of at least 45 miles per hour. While not all drivers may opt for the choice lanes, the overall traffic flow in general purpose lanes is expected to improve significantly with their introduction.

The meeting also addressed the anticipated benefits for public transit. TDOT plans to collaborate with local transit partner We Go Public Transit to enhance travel reliability for both passenger and transit vehicles. Transit buses would be able to use the choice lanes at no cost, which is expected to incentivize their use and improve trip times. Similar projects in other states have shown promising results, with Georgia reporting a 10% increase in on-time bus performance and Texas experiencing a 73% increase in ridership due to reliable travel times.

As the project is still in its early stages, TDOT emphasized that further details regarding right-of-way impacts will be shared at future public hearings. For those interested in the property acquisition process, TDOT provided information on their federally mandated procedures, available on the project website.

In conclusion, the meeting outlined the pressing need for improvements to the I-24 corridor and the potential benefits of the proposed choice lanes, both for individual drivers and public transit users. TDOT is committed to keeping the public informed as the project progresses.