NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A newly formed coalition says Tennessee has more than $8 billion in unfunded transportation needs, but they're getting little encouragement from legislators at either the state or federal level.
The Transportation Coalition of Tennessee is pushing lawmakers to appropriate more money for highway construction and maintenance, even if that means raising taxes.
Lawmakers have been reluctant to increase Tennessee's gas tax, the source of most state highway funds. The 21 cent a gallon tax hasn’t been raised since 1989.
A clearly irritated Republican U.S. Senator Bob Corker says Tennessee shouldn't count on any help from Congress either.
“I will be stunned if Republicans deal with the Highway Trust Fund responsibly. It’s not going to happen.”
Corker says the good news is that, unlike many states, Tennessee has zero transportation debt because it pays for highway projects upfront.