Tennessee Approved Massive I-24 Choice Lanes Project
The state finalized a contract for a 26-mile toll lane corridor connecting Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Do you support the use of fee-based choice lanes to reduce traffic congestion in your area?
The Tennessee Transportation Modernization Board has approved a $9.2 billion contract with DriveTN to develop fee-based lanes along Interstate 24. This massive project aims to improve travel reliability for commuters between Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Why it matters
The project intends to reduce traffic congestion by providing drivers with a fee-based option for faster travel. Revenue generated from these lanes is expected to support future state transportation infrastructure investments.
The 26-mile project will add two fee-based lanes in each direction along the corridor. The initiative is the largest public-private partnership for interstate Choice Lanes in U.S. history.
The players
Bill Lee
Bill Lee is the current Governor of Tennessee who signed the executive order establishing the council to oversee state transportation accountability.
Tennessee Transportation Modernization Board
This board is the state body responsible for reviewing and approving major transportation infrastructure contracts and partnerships.
DriveTN
DriveTN is a private joint venture composed of Cintra, Transurban, Tikehau Star, Ferrovial, Webber, and AECOM to deliver large-scale infrastructure.
The details
The joint venture known as DriveTN, which includes companies such as Cintra and AECOM, will be responsible for the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the lanes. By charging a fee for access, the system intends to regulate traffic flow and maintain more consistent travel speeds.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 114 to establish the Tennessee Strategic Transportation Accountability Council.
Roadmap
This project signals a major shift toward utilizing public-private partnerships to address critical congestion bottlenecks in high-growth corridors. It aligns with a nationwide trend of states leveraging private capital to accelerate the delivery of complex, fee-based road infrastructure.
Commuters traveling between Nashville and Murfreesboro will soon have the option to pay a fee to access lanes designed for faster, more reliable travel. Daily drivers should anticipate changes to traffic patterns throughout the long-term construction phase of the project.
The takeaway
The move toward fee-based infrastructure highlights a shifting strategy for managing state road capacity in growing metropolitan regions. Residents should monitor future state updates for specific information regarding toll rates and construction timelines.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in state transit policy on the Tennessee Electric Vehicles page.
Live Poll
Do you support the use of fee-based choice lanes to reduce traffic congestion in your area?
