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TDOT outlines new funding and 10‑year plan changes; governor requested $1.1 billion in transfers
Summary
A Tennessee Department of Transportation official updated the TPO on the department’s 10‑year plan and the governor’s recent budget request that would add roughly $1.1 billion (including an $80 million recurring transfer) for pavement, bridges, safety and other priorities; TDOT said it will issue an updated 10‑year plan to reflect the new funds.
A Tennessee Department of Transportation representative updated the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization April 30 on TDOT’s recently released 10‑year plan and the governor’s budget request that would add roughly $1.1 billion in new funding, including an $80 million recurring transfer into TDOT’s budget. "The governor's budget request, he requested an additional billion dollars plus an $80,000,000 recurring, change to TDOT's funding," the TDOT speaker said, describing a mix of recurring and one‑time allocations.
TDOT said the budget request includes recurring support ($80 million) largely intended to move employee pay obligations out of gasoline‑tax funding so more transportation funds can be spent on paving and preservation. The department listed recurring allocations such as $16 million for resurfacing/pavement, $16 million for bridge preservation annually, and other recurring items including rural service patrol and a spot safety program. Nonrecurring (one‑time) components in the request include $775 million intended to be placed into the 10‑year plan and $109 million for payment program investments to accelerate preservation work.
TDOT staff explained why an additional infusion is needed: long‑term maintenance backlogs and shifting construction costs have left a gap between identified needs (TDOT described about $38 billion of need) and funding available under current projections. The department also reviewed statewide delivery issues that drive the 10‑year plan, such as right‑of‑way sensitivity, environmental permitting (NEPA) and deliverability risk.
The TDOT presentation flagged regional projects that moved in the latest 10‑year plan. Examples for the TPO region included (as presented) an Edgemore Road project with right‑of‑way and construction scheduling changes, relocation components for Alcoa Highway Stage 2, and an advance of right‑of‑way for the Pellissippi Parkway extension due to a statewide partnership application. TDOT said certain projects moved earlier in the schedule while others were delayed because NEPA work required an environmental assessment rather than a categorical exclusion.
TDOT also briefed members on recent program successes and other initiatives: a state aid infusion used in the America’s River Crossing effort that leveraged additional federal and out‑of‑state funds; Hurricane recovery work that was front‑funded; and progress on choice‑lane projects. TDOT noted it expects to issue an updated 10‑year plan reflecting the governor’s request by June or possibly May, and that the $775 million one‑time funding will be available in July 2025 for initial commitments.
FHWA contacts and grant opportunities: TDOT staff highlighted a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All funding call due June 26 and encouraged jurisdictions to apply. Staff also noted turnover among FHWA planners the TPO frequently works with and that federal staffing is currently thin in some offices.
No board action was required on the TDOT briefing; staff and board members discussed deliverability and the need to align local TIP expectations with TDOT’s 10‑year priorities.
