NASHVILLE — Hamilton County legislators said the county will see $453.4 million for local road and infrastructure projects under the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s new statewide 10-year project plan.
“Chattanooga, Hamilton County and our entire region are some of the most heavily traveled areas in Tennessee, and this historic funding will enable us to target projects from start to finish that can solve our evolving infrastructure needs,” local Reps. Patsy Hazlewood, R-Signal Mountain; Esther Helton-Haynes, R-East Ridge; Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson; and Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison, said in a joint release. “These funds and this strategic planning will alleviate congestion, improve safety and further strengthen our local economy.”
State Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley and department officials unveiled the plan last week.
The new law authorizes the state to contract with private companies to build and manage new express lanes where drivers pay fees to get places more quickly — or decide to remain in regular lanes. Because of that option, Republican Gov. Bill Lee has sought to brand the lanes as “choice lanes” rather than toll lanes.