Long Range Multimodal Transportation Plan Statewide Media Kickoff

Nashville, Tennessee – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is inviting the public to participate in a first-of-its-kind Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) by announcing several ways for people to learn about it and provide input. TDOT has also named a Statewide Steering Committee.

The long range transportation plan will look at all modes of transportation: rail, public transportation, ports and waterways, aviation, highways and bridges, bicycles and pedestrian paths. Under the guidance of Governor Phil Bredesen and Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely, the multimodal plan will develop a comprehensive 25-year strategy for Tennessee’s transportation system.

“We have a changing economy and a growing population. We are setting the course for a transportation system that will support that growth and meet the demands of change,” said Commissioner Nicely. Governor Bredesen has challenged us to think boldly in this process.”

Ed Cole, TDOT’s Chief of Planning and Environment, notes that, “We are providing opportunities for people to participate in the planning process in new ways. We will develop the best plan by listening to the people of our state in order to fully understand their needs and the opportunities they envision.”

The public involvement component of the LRTP will be driven by five factors:

• A Statewide Steering Committee. To help insure that all segments of the population and all regional interests are considered, a Statewide Steering Committee representing a variety of statewide interests has been formed. Nine Regional Work Groups will also be formed in the next few months that will provide input and feedback at the local level.  For a complete list of the members of the Statewide Steering Committee and the organizations they represent, click here.
• A series of public meetings held across the state. A full schedule of meeting dates, times and locations will be released by TDOT in June.
• A traveling TDOT LRTP Speakers Bureau. Groups can request that a representative from TDOT present information about the plan and gather information and feedback from the group.
• A traveling exhibit for use at community events, festivals and conventions.
• Comment forms. Comment forms will be distributed at all events and are also available by clicking here. In addition people can ask questions or provide comments at any time during the plan by:

The media is also being asked to help inform the public about the long range transportation plan and opportunities to be involved. Frequent updates on the plan will be provided to the media.

“TDOT is committed to listening to the public and planning a transportation system that takes us where we want to go in the future,” said Cole.

“With all of us working together we can develop a plan to evaluate, prioritize and deliver transportation projects in a responsible manner,” said Nicely. “The quality of Tennessee’s roads is consistently ranked among the top five in the nation. We are committed to maintaining that high ranking and to achieving excellence in multimodal transportation through visionary planning.”