NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s top gubernatorial candidates are split on public-private partnerships for roads and other infrastructure, including I-24 Choice Lanes and the Music City Loop, ahead of the midterm election on November 3.
P3 projects let governments and private companies share risks and rewards on infrastructure contracts. They have already appeared across the state in the form of choice lanes and the Music City Loop.
Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn said our infrastructure is not kept up with our growth and cited congestion around Nashville, over in Chattanooga and in Knoxville, and traffic on I-24 to Clarksville. She said Choice Lanes, this is a great option, and that leaders should also finish projects such as I-69 over on the west side of the state.
Democratic nominee Jerri Green said P3 deals can work only if taxpayers are not left paying for them. She described choice lanes as toll roads by another name and said the money should go toward schools, hospitals or roads decided by the public.
Independent Lauren Pinkston said the road backlog is so large that bonded contracts may be needed, but argued dollars spent on toll-style lanes should have gone to public transit. Independent David Hatley said he is concerned about decades-long payments to private road builders and would approve only deals that are good for Tennessee.
The interviews are part of coverage of the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Bill Lee. Blackburn, Green, Pinkston and Hatley were among the top polling candidates featured in Oct. 8 candidate interviews on infrastructure funding.
