Tennessee Approved Massive I-24 Choice Lanes Project
The $9.2 billion plan adds fee-based travel lanes to help Tennessee drivers bypass Nashville-area congestion.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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The Tennessee Transportation Modernization Board has finalized a contract with DriveTN for a 26-mile highway project between Nashville and Murfreesboro. This initiative introduces new fee-based lanes on I-24 to improve commute reliability for local drivers.
Why it matters
The project aims to alleviate significant traffic demand by providing a faster, fee-based alternative for commuters on one of the state's most congested corridors. It represents a long-term investment in regional infrastructure funded through future revenue.
The 26-mile project will add two fee-based lanes in each direction along I-24. The total cost is $9.2 billion, which is projected to generate $24.8 billion in revenue to support future infrastructure.
The players
Bill Lee
Governor of Tennessee who recently established the Tennessee Strategic Transportation Accountability Council.
Tennessee Transportation Modernization Board
State authority responsible for approving major transportation infrastructure contracts.
DriveTN
A joint venture of international infrastructure firms contracted to design, build, and operate the state highway project.
The details
DriveTN, a joint venture of Cintra, Transurban, Tikehau Star/Infra/Capital, Ferrovial, Webber, and AECOM, will design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the lanes. Drivers will pay a fee to access these lanes, which are designed to manage traffic demand by keeping travel speeds higher than the surrounding free lanes.
Timeline
Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 114 on September 24, 2026.
The Home Front
This project marks the first major implementation following the establishment of the Tennessee Strategic Transportation Accountability Council. It signals a shift toward using large-scale public-private partnerships to fund interstate improvements across the state.
If you commute between Nashville and Murfreesboro, budget for future toll expenses as you plan your monthly household transportation costs. Keep an eye on official state traffic updates to understand how the construction phase may temporarily impact your daily travel routes.
The takeaway
The I-24 expansion is the largest public-private partnership for choice lanes in U.S. history, aiming to reduce congestion through market-managed fees. Residents should monitor local transportation announcements for future construction timelines that may affect daily commutes.
Further reading
For broader updates on road usage and infrastructure, visit Electric Vehicles.
Live Poll
Do you support the use of fee-based choice lanes to reduce traffic congestion in your area?
