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Tennessee needs $54.8 billion for infrastructure needs

Crews pour gravel as part of renovation work to exit 20 at Interstate 75 in Cleveland, Tenn. The improvements to the interchange, which are scheduled to be completed by November 2015, coincide with efforts to develop infrastructure for a proposed industrial park to be located on the east side of the interstate. Crews pour gravel as part of renovation work to exit 20 at Interstate 75 in Cleveland, Tenn. The improvements to the interchange, which are scheduled to be completed by November 2015, coincide with efforts to develop infrastructure for a proposed industrial park to be located on the east side of the interstate.

By Associated Press February 5, 2020 1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s annual estimated cost for needed public infrastructure improvements is at least $54.8 billion, a fourth-straight annual increase, according to a new report released this week.

The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations report says the estimate is up by $4.8 billion — or around 9.7% — from last year.

Transportation and utilities needs are the most expensive at $29.6 billion for projects that need to be in some development stage from July 2018 through June 2023, an increase of more than $3.7 billion.

The second largest is $14.2 billion needed for education infrastructure, an increase of $575 million.

The report notes that funding for about two-thirds of the estimated costs of needed improvements were unavailable when conducting the inventory.