NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville voters have overwhelmingly rejected a plan to pay for a $5.4 billion mass transit system that called for a new light rail system, expanded bus routes and the building of a downtown underground tunnel.
Unofficial vote totals show the measure being defeated Tuesday by nearly 30 percentage points.
Supporters thought the plan would ease Nashville's traffic snarls and give people more options traveling around Music City. But a mix of both conservatives and liberals came out against the idea.
The price of the plan would have totaled about $9 billion with maintenance and interest on debt.
Some conservatives said it was too expensive and wouldn't reduce traffic congestion. Others worried it would increase gentrification and housing costs.