TDOT staffing changes, planning grant notices and FHWA "Safe Roads" memo highlight federal priorities
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Summary
TDOT representatives briefed the Executive Board on recent regional staffing changes and upcoming planning grant opportunities; a Federal Highway memo read at the meeting signaled a national initiative to prioritize arterial safety and operations and noted changes in enforcement emphasis on certain equity-related items.
Tennessee Department of Transportation and MPO staff provided the board with staffing updates, grant timing and federal policy signals on June 23. TDOT staff said Region 1 leader Steve Borden has retired and that interim staff will continue permit approvals; TDOT also noted a state chief engineer transition and other administrative moves.
TDOT staff reminded jurisdictions that state planning grant opportunities (including the State Partnership Program and other TDOT planning grants) will open late summer; staff urged local agencies to coordinate with MPO staff on applications and noted prior successes in getting projects into the 10‑year plan through these processes.
A staff member read a U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Highway memo and summarized its direction: the memo asks state DOTs, working with MPOs, to identify arterial segments and intersections with the highest safety, operational or compliance concerns to be addressed by the end of federal fiscal 2026. The memo also stated a return to data‑driven priorities, and the presentation quoted a passage: “We’re getting back to the basics. Using data to guide decision making and prioritize investments that reduce distraction while improving mobility and safety for all road users.” The meeting attendee who read the memo also told the board the USDOT letter (dated July 2) indicated the department is no longer enforcing specific items such as equity, climate and greenhouse gas considerations in the same manner as previously emphasized.
Staff said FHWA requested a list from state DOTs within 60 days and that TDOT plans to submit its Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) lists for the relevant areas to satisfy the request; staff said the requested “addressed by fiscal 26” language appears to call for near‑term, already‑identified safety priorities rather than long‑term new initiatives. In addition, the presenter noted media and secondary materials suggest that some aspects of the initiative are focused on certain roadway markings or painted crosswalks; TDOT staff said they will circulate a memo and the HSIP lists for MPO review.
Board members asked procedural and policy questions and were reminded to coordinate with MPO staff on TDOT planning grants. No formal board action was taken on the TDOT staffing or FHWA memo items; staff will circulate additional details and grant application guidance.
No public comments were offered on these items during the meeting.
