Nashville Voters Prepare to Decide on $3.1 Billion Transportation Initiative

Nashville Voters Face Crucial Decision on $3.1 Billion Transportation Plan

Hey Nashville! It’s an exciting and pivotal time for our city, as voters will soon get to cast their ballots on an enormous transportation improvement plan that could change the way we get around. The Choose How You Move initiative, introduced by Mayor Freddie O’Connell, is looking to enhance our bus system, build better sidewalks, upgrade traffic signals, and more—all for an estimated cost of $3.1 billion.

What’s on the Ballot?

So, what exactly does this mean for you? To approve the plan, it will take a majority vote from Davidson County voters. As you prepare to head to the polls, keep in mind that early voting kicked off on Wednesday, October 16 and wraps up on Thursday, October 31. If you prefer to vote on the official Election Day, mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 5.

When you get to the voting booth, you’ll find the transit referendum at the bottom of the ballot. In case you’re curious, there will be a 250-word summary of the Choose How You Move plan and a simple option to vote “For” or “Against.” Easy peasy!

The Financial Breakdown

Now, let’s talk about the money. If approved, the plan proposes a half-cent sales tax increase for Davidson County, nudging the combined state and local sales tax from 9.25% to 9.75%. While many of us are used to paying a 6.25% sales tax on most groceries (with a few exceptions), the proposed increase would raise that to 6.75%.

This half-cent boost is expected to cover around 40% of the total cost of the project. The other funds will be gathered through fares, bonds, and state and federal programs. We know that those numbers can be a bit overwhelming, but to put it into perspective, an analysis shows that one adult might pay an extra $4 per month in taxes on groceries and goods, and a family of four could be looking at an increase of around $10 a month.

What Would Change?

Now, let’s dive into what exactly the Choose How You Move plan entails. The proposed improvements fall into four categories: Service, Signals, Sidewalks, and Safety. Perhaps the most notable aspect is the expansion of the WeGo bus service. Think added routes, more neighborhood transit centers, and even 24/7 service! That would make getting around Nashville a whole lot easier and more efficient.

The plan includes improvements around the city, particularly along high-use roads that lead toward downtown, ensuring that more neighborhoods are connected. New transit centers are proposed in West Nashville, SoBro, Madison, Donelson, Antioch, Bellevue, and along Nolensville and Dickerson pikes, with even more access near Tennessee State and Vanderbilt universities.

Explore Your Options

If you’re interested in checking out the specific locations and proposed improvements, there’s even an interactive map available. This map highlights the areas that would benefit from the transportation upgrades, sorted by neighborhood. Take a look and see how your community could improve!

In short, Nashville stands at a crossroads with this vote. By approving this transportation plan, voters have the chance to reshape the city’s transit landscape for years to come. So, are you ready to make your voice heard in this critical election? Have your say on November 5, and don’t forget about early voting!