TDOT announces road projects for 2004-05

“This year’s transportation plan will focus on maintaining our roads, improving safety on our highways, and developing our transportation system to spur economic growth in our state,” Bredesen said in a statement.

The list includes funding for all phases of project development — from location studies to construction, according to TDOT Commissioner Jerry Nicely.

“We think this list represents a fair distribution statewide of the overall transportation budget,” he said.

Among the projects are:

— Widening of sections of U.S. Highway 72 from two to four lanes in Fayette and Shelby counties.

— Preliminary design work in Union County for improvements to State Route 33.

— Environmental studies required before improvements to U.S. Highway 127 in Bledsoe County can begin.

— Continued work on State Route 840 in Williamson County.

Last year, the state spent approximately $200 million on 55 projects, department spokeswoman Kim Keelor said.

TDOT, for the second-straight year, also will transfer $65.8 million from the department to the state’s general fund to help Tennessee’s budget situation.

TDOT’s budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is estimated to be $1.6 billion, with more than $750 million of that amount coming from reauthorization of the federal transportation bill.

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To view a full list of approved projects, visit www.tennessee.gov/tdot