Nashville Transforms Transit with Bold New Projects

News Summary

Nashville unveils its ambitious ‘Choose How You Move’ program aimed at revolutionizing public transport over the next 15 years. Led by Mayor Freddie O’Connell, this initiative focuses on 11 foundational projects, including fare subsidies and service expansions, backed by a projected $59.3 million revenue boost. With an emphasis on accessibility, efficiency, and safety, Nashville is set to enhance its transit landscape and improve the commuting experience for residents.

Nashville Sets the Stage for a Transportation Revolution with New Projects

Nashville has rolled out a promising plan, set to transform the city’s transit landscape over the next 15 years. With the unveiling of the Choose How You Move (CHYM) transportation improvement program, Mayor Freddie O’Connell is leading the charge towards a more connected and efficient city. This initiative is all about enhancing public transport and making life easier for residents, allowing them to spend more quality time with family and friends.

What’s in Store for Nashville?

The cornerstone of this initiative is a new supplemental budget submitted to the Nashville Metro Council. This budget is expected to fund 11 foundational projects designed to kickstart the CHYM program, with a projected revenue boost of $59.3 million from a new sales tax surcharge through June 30, 2025. What’s particularly exciting is that these funds were unexpected in the original Fiscal Year 2025 budget since they came about after the voters gave the green light to the CHYM initiative.

Foundational Projects Galore!

Now, let’s dive into the 11 projects that are destined to lay the groundwork for future improvements:

• Low-income Fare Subsidy Program: This program aims to boost the number of individuals who qualify for free or reduced fares on WeGo Public Transit, making getting around more affordable for everyone.
• WeGo Service Expansion: Expect improvements on accessibility and frequency of routes, which includes the procurement of 12 new buses — a significant win for riders!
• Murfreesboro Pike Queue Jump: With the introduction of a business access transit lane and a queue jump signal, this project will help save time by allowing buses to bypass traffic, ultimately saving 10,000 hours for riders.
• West End Curbside Bus Lane Pilot: This will speed up bus travel along a busy section between 25th and 31st Avenue, ensuring a smoother commute.
• Fiber Installation: Beginning the planning phase for critical fiber installations is essential for signal upgrades and harnessing new transit technologies.
• Signal Upgrades: Planning for smarter traffic signals by upgrading 592 signals across the city will enhance responsiveness and efficiency.
• South Broadway Transit Center: A new transit center south of Broadway is on the horizon, designed to improve access across the public transit network.
• Street Improvement Projects: The planning and design phase for an impressive 39 miles of street infrastructure improvements is set to happen, aiming at enhancing the overall transport experience.
• WeGo Public Transit Security Upgrades: These upgrades will see an increase in security hours and the establishment of a first Transit Liaison with the Metro Nashville Police Department, focusing on making transit safer.
• New Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility: Planning for a larger facility is underway to support service expansion, a necessity given the current capacity issues at existing sites.
• Main Street/Gallatin Pike All-Access Corridor Phase 1: This project plans to design new median and curbside bus lanes, as well as vital pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

Expanding the WeGo Workforce

To meet the anticipated demand from these enhancements, WeGo is ramping up efforts to expand its workforce. This growth will help ensure that the new and improved service can operate at peak efficiency. Additionally, an emphasis on security is paramount; with a substantial increase in transit security personnel, the aim is to elevate safety for everyone at transit centers and during transport operations.

Looking Ahead

The Choose How You Move transportation improvement program is more than just a plan—it’s a commitment to making Nashville more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable for all its residents. So, buckle up Nashville, because a transportation revolution is on the way!

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Additional Resources

• Pride Publishing Group
• Mass Transit Magazine
• Nashville Scene
• Wikipedia: Transportation in Nashville
• Google Search: Choose How You Move program Nashville