Tennessee moves forward with Choice Lanes project centering on Nashville

August 21st, 2026

From the Chattanoogan: Gov. Bill Lee announced "an historic milestone in his administration’s strategy to accommodate Tennessee’s record growth and address traffic congestion," as the Tennessee Modernization Board approved DriveTN as TDOT's selected private-sector partner to deliver the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project.

Under the proposed partnership, DriveTN will design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the $9.2 billion project, while providing a projected $24.8 billion in concession value to Tennessee, which may be leveraged to fund additional transportation infrastructure projects in the state’s busiest corridors, officials said.

DriveTN includes Cintra, Transurban, Tikehau Star/Infra/Capital, Ferrovial, Webber, and AECOM and was selected through the state’s competitive procurement process. With the Board’s approval, TDOT will work with the selected partner and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau to finalize an agreement that protects Tennessee’s interests and secures the proposed value.

The proposal outlines what will be America’s largest public-private partnership (P3) concession for an interstate Choice Lanes project, officials said.

Gov. Lee said, “When we set out to modernize transportation infrastructure in Tennessee, we knew incremental change would not be enough to meet the demands of one of the fastest-growing states in America. Through the Transportation Modernization Act, we chose to embrace innovation and private sector partnership while responsibly stewarding taxpayer dollars. Today, that vision is delivering extraordinary value for Tennesseans that will deliver a transformational Choice Lanes project and strengthen our infrastructure for generations to come.”

Also, Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 114, establishing the Tennessee Strategic Transportation Accountability Council (STAC) "to provide transparent and accountable oversight of P3 revenues and advise state leaders on how those resources can deliver long-term transportation benefits, further advancing the framework established by the Transportation Modernization Act."

The I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project will add new, optional Choice Lanes in each direction along approximately 26 miles of I-24 between Nashville and I-840. Existing general-purpose lanes will remain available, while the new Choice Lanes will provide drivers with an optional path to a faster and more reliable trip. By moving vehicles into newly constructed lanes, the project is also designed to improve traffic flow in existing lanes.

In the competitive procurement process, TDOT challenged proposers not only to deliver the best financial value for Tennessee, but to find innovative ways to minimize impacts on surrounding communities and improve transportation connections throughout the corridor. In response, DriveTN committed to a net reduction in overall right-of-way impacts, avoiding impacts to Noble Place Townhomes, a Bell Road redesign that avoids impacts to the Pan-Asia Supermarket, and eliminating the need to rebuild the Hickory Hollow Parkway Bridge. The proposal also includes enhanced access and connectivity throughout the corridor, commitments for park-and-ride facilities, and commitments supporting future transit integration.

“TDOT was ready for this opportunity,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid. “We did the planning, developed the project, listened to communities, and challenged the private sector to bring Tennessee its best solution. We have moved from facing a critical transportation need without a viable path forward to an opportunity that will deliver the project, enhance communities, and improve travel. Our responsibility now is to verify the commitments, complete the required reviews, finalize the agreement, and deliver as promised.”

The Transportation Modernization Board also authorized further development of three potential future corridor enhancements: a Northern Enhancement that could extend Choice Lanes along I-24/I-65 through Downtown Nashville; an Eastern Enhancement that could extend Choice Lanes along I-40 a few miles past Nashville International Airport; and a Southern Enhancement that could extend Choice Lanes along I-24 through Murfreesboro and along I-840 toward U.S. 41.

TDOT will host two open house public meetings to share details of the proposal, answer questions, and discuss what stakeholders can expect as the project advances. The first meeting will be held September 8, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Nashville Public Library Pruitt Branch. The second meeting will be held September 9, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Smyrna Event Center.

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