Sen. Massey previews I‑40/I‑75 PEL study: managed 'Choice Lanes' advanced, bypass screened out

Sen. Massey, chair of the state transportation safety committee, briefed the Transportation Planning Organization executive board on the I‑40/I‑75 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. She said TDOT narrowed alternatives to widening and a managed/choice‑lane approach and that the bypass alternative was not advanced in the screening.

Massey described national precedents for managed lanes, the procurement interest the state has seen, and the financing structure that can include concession fees that accrue over the life of a project. "We took the word toll out of state code because it was a 4 letter word," Massey said, explaining legislative language that frames the lanes as a user choice rather than a toll. She cautioned that although large concession amounts have been discussed, the project is not a silver bullet for long‑term revenue needs and that the state still faces large funding shortfalls for transportation.

Massey said TDOT will likely phase any large project and that parts of alternative concepts (such as targeted operational or technology solutions) could be incorporated into the final recommendation. She also said the federal USDOT has asked Tennessee and neighboring states to coordinate restrictions and interoperability for large managed‑lane projects and that local agencies should expect further technical and financial details as TDOT finalizes its report.