Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Choose How You Move Transportation Improvement Program will be on the November 5, 2024, ballot following approval by the Davidson County Election Commission. The program, titled “Choose How You Move: An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety,” aims to transform Nashville’s transportation system. Key features include building 86 miles of sidewalks, expanding transit to operate 24/7/365, increasing transit service frequency, enhancing roadway safety, and modernizing traffic signals at over 600 intersections.
The Metro Council’s unanimous approval of the ballot language and the Election Commission’s subsequent approval have paved the way for voters to decide on the program’s future. Mayor O’Connell emphasized the community’s extensive input gathered over the past decade, involving more than 66,000 resident opinions through over 70 transportation plans. “It’s time to stop planning. It’s time to start doing,” he stated.
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Nashville is one of only four major American cities without dedicated funding for transportation improvements. Mayor O’Connell expressed optimism about the program, stating, “This is how we stop kicking the can down the road on a problem and start moving forward on a solution.”
The transportation referendum will appear on the same ballot as the presidential candidates and other races. Early voting will be from October 16 to October 31, with election day on November 5. Detailed program information and interactive maps are available at transit.nashville.gov.
Choose How You Move includes:
– 86 miles of sidewalk improvements, completing the WalkNBike Nashville priority sidewalk network.
– 54 miles of upgraded corridors for faster, safer, and more reliable transit.
– A 24/7/365 transit system, doubling frequent service and adding more crosstown routes and new express routes.
– 12 community transit centers for better connectivity.
– 17 new park-and-ride facilities.
– 35 miles of new and upgraded bicycle facilities.
– Modernized traffic signals at nearly 600 intersections for smoother traffic flow.
The program aims to benefit all corners of the county and reduce the cost of living by lowering the need for car ownership. An independent analysis by Kraft CPAs confirmed the program’s financial feasibility.
The ballot language approved by Metro Council states that the program’s capital cost is estimated at $3.096 billion, with recurring annual operating and maintenance costs of approximately $111 million. Funding will come from federal grants, transportation system fares, debt, and a 0.5% sales tax surcharge. The surcharge will end once the debt is paid off and the Metro Council determines the revenues are no longer needed.
For more information, visit www.nashville.gov/transit. For voting locations and election details, visit vote.nashville.gov.
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