Interstate 24 Southeast Choice Lanes

Davidson and Rutherford counties

The proposed I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project would construct new, optional Choice Lanes on I-24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro. Choice Lanes are priced managed lanes that use pricing to proactively manage demand and provide travel-time reliability. The proposed Choice Lanes would allow motorists to maintain consistent travel speeds even when the adjacent existing lanes are congested.

By adding capacity to this heavily traveled roadway, operations are expected to improve in this major growth area. Choice Lanes would provide another option for motorists to bypass congestion, allowing motorists to maintain consistent travel times. The Choice Lanes would be new, optional lanes designed, built, financed, operated and maintained by a private-sector partner through a Public-Private Partnership (P3), with initial funding provided by the Transportation Modernization Act.

Current Status: The Transportation Modernization Board voted to approve the department's continued development of the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project. Environmental studies are underway and the first round of NEPA public informational meetings have been held (more information listed below). 

Funding Type: Transportation Modernization Act funds have been allocated for a partial public contribution for the proposed project, which would be delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (P3), where the private sector partner would design, build, finance, operate and maintain the proposed project.  

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History and Background

Historic growth in Tennessee has increased traffic levels in urban areas. The resulting chronic congestion, which spans key corridors, stresses the urgency to modernize infrastructure to meet current and future growth. TDOT’s Congestion Studies estimate that $30 billion (2022) is needed to address both urban and rural congestion in Tennessee. Choice Lanes are an emerging urban congestion solution now possible in Tennessee with the authorization of P3s.

The additional state funding provided through the Transportation Modernization Act expands TDOT’s opportunities for federal grants and accelerates urban congestion projects, including Choice Lanes. TDOT’s 10-Year Project Plan identified the I-24 Southeast corridor between I-40 in Nashville and I-840 in Murfreesboro as a priority urban congestion relief project to deliver as Tennessee’s first Choice Lanes project, and the Transportation Modernization Board approved the proposed Project to be added to TDOT’s 3-Year Plan and advance environmental studies on February 26, 2024. The proposed Choice Lanes on I-24 Southeast are part of a larger program of proposed Choice Lanes projects in some of the most congested areas of Tennessee. 

Utilizing a P3 for Choice Lanes is a powerful approach to addressing urban-area congestion and preserving critical funds to address congestion-related challenges in rural areas, like widening interstates to six lanes. Tennessee's Choice Lanes would be new lanes—funded in partnership with the private sector— added to congested urban highways that allow motorists an option of paying a voluntary user fee in exchange for faster, more reliable travel speeds and trip times.

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Public Involvement and Engagement

In accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations and under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an environmental document is required that identifies the significance of a project’s environmental impact. Environmental studies are underway, and the project team will communicate and coordinate with the public and stakeholders often.  

A public comment period for the proposed I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project took place between August 14 and September 19, 2024. A summary of the feedback received from the public will be posted to the project website in October 2024.

While the comment period is now closed, the public can review the project materials linked below or in our virtual public meeting room. A public hearing will be hosted in early 2025 to review the Environmental Assessment. Following TDOT on Facebook, Instagram and X, and subscribing to the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes newsletter and text messages are all ways you can stay up to date on this project.

Previous Public Meetings

Wednesday, August 14, 5 p.m.
Virtual Public Information Meeting
View a recording of the virtual public meeting held on August 14, 2024, here.

Wednesday, August 21, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Smyrna Event Center

Wednesday, August 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Fairgrounds Nashville

Thursday, August 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Southeast Community Center

TDOT also held two live stream presentations for stakeholders, the first being on March 21, 2024 and the second on August 7, 2024. 

Public Meeting Materials

Request translated project materials by contacting us at TDOT.24.ChoiceLanes@tn.gov or by calling (615) 451-8039. 

Solicite materiales del proyecto traducidos al español comunicándose con nosotros al TDOT.24.ChoiceLanes@tn.gov o llamando al (615) 451-8039. 

Daxwaza materyalên projeyê yên wergerandî  TDOT.24.ChoiceLanes@tn.gov or calling (615) 451-8039.

Public Involvement Resources

Is your organization or group interested in learning more about the proposed project? Click here to request a speaker to discuss the proposed I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on Tennessee's first-ever Choice Lanes project! Sign up for our project newsletter today by clicking here.

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Project Imagery & Visuals

 

Choice Lanes Video Library:

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Project Contacts

Project Email Address
TDOT.24ChoiceLanes@tn.gov

Project Hotline
(615) 451-8039

Paige Heintzman
Director of P3 Delivery
Email: paige.heintzman@tn.gov

John Davis
TDOT Statewide Project Manager - Public-Private Partnerships
Email: john.r.davis@tn.gov

Rebekah Hammonds
TDOT Public-Private Partnerships Communications Officer
Email: rebekah.hammonds@tn.gov