Report: Nashville's $5.4 billion transit plan would yield billions


              Nashville Mayor Megan Barry listens to a question during a news conference in her office Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Barry held the news conference on her first day back at work since her son's shocking death July 29 from a drug overdose. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry listens to a question during a news conference in her office Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Barry held the news conference on her first day back at work since her son's shocking death July 29 from a drug overdose. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Nashville Mayor Megan Barry says her $5.4 billion proposal to build an extensive transit system would yield billions of dollars of economic impact and thousands of jobs.

Estimates unveiled Tuesday say about 3,850 jobs a year would be created or maintained throughout 14 years of construction.

The report says building 28 miles of light rail and 25 miles of rapid and enhanced bus service would produce $3.1 billion in local labor income. Operations and maintenance would produce another $548 million.

The report projects $4.7 billion in gross regional product.

Justin Owen, CEO of the free market think-tank Beacon Center of Tennessee, is opposing the mayor's plan. He tells The Tennessean the job figures are overstated and misguided.

Barry has proposed her transit funding plan for a May 1 referendum.

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