The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance held a series of news conferences to unveil "100 Years of Road Funding," both a celebration and a history project wrapped into one.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance held a series of news conferences to unveil "100 Years of Road Funding," both a celebration and a history project wrapped into one.

In 1923, the 63rd General Assembly approved funding at the urging of then Governor Austin Peay. Now, 2023 marks one hundred years of Tennessee having a sustainable funding source for roads.

Drawing attention to State Route 1, the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance is encouraging Tennesseans to Take a Drive on part of this highway which was originally known at the "Memphis to Bristol Highway" and has provided passage across Tennessee since the early 1900s.

The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance seeks to engage the public through their sharing of oral and written stories as well as historical photos and news articles related to the building and development of our road system over the past 100 years.

Materials were distributed detailing a website platform, 100YearsOfRoadFunding.com, to support citizen involvement through any of three avenues: Tell a Story, Take a Drive and Share an Image. In upcoming weeks, "100 Years of Road Funding" will visit select communities across Tennessee for citizens to share their stories and images in person. Tennesseans can celebrate our vital road system as the foundation of our economy and communities.

With the roads created in Tennessee for the past hundred years, road stories exist of both road trips and road creation.

"The end goal of this celebration is to create a treasure trove of historical stories and images, honoring the people who supported and built the roads and those who use them," said Susie Alcorn, executive director of the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance and curator of 100 Years of Road Funding. Alcorn continued, "Through 100 Years of Road Funding, the stories will be collected then catalogued into a showcase of what Tennessee roads have provided."

The stories and images captured will be delivered in digital format to various county historical offices and public libraries and/or to the State Library and Archives. The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, through 100 Years of Road Funding, will collect the personal and family tales that are possible as a direct result of Tennessee's roads created in the past hundred years.

While "100 Years of Road Funding" links to the historic passage in 1923 that created sustainable road funding for Tennessee, another historic event recently occurred with the passage of Governor Bill Lee's Transportation Modernization Act. The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance lauds Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner Butch Eley for their foresight to address the massive challenges of our current road system.

Governor Lee proposed an additional $3.3 Billion in the 2023-24 state budget for TDOT.

"There are no free roads," said Bill Moore, chairman of Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance and former chief engineer for TDOT. "We appreciate the substantial funding commitment by Governor Lee, TDOT Commissioner Eley and the 113th General Assembly. When there are future surplus funds, we urge those be applied to the Governor's stated infrastructure priority."

The current road system was designed to serve approximately 3 million people. Tennessee's population today is more than 7 million and growing.

Tennessee's roads and bridges allow for our in-state tourism and bring in our out-of-state visitors. The Tennessee road system supports our citizens in their everyday lives as a major foundation of our livelihoods, education, recreation, healthcare and economy.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Susie Alcorn
615.398.0225
615.248.5900
media@100YearsOfRoadFunding.com

MEDIA KIT + About 100 Years of Road Funding
100YearsOfRoadFunding.com

About Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance
Since 2005, Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance has served as an umbrella organization and advocate for adequate and consistent funding for Tennessee's infrastructure needs. The key drivers of the organization are safety, mobility, economic competitiveness, and overall quality of life. Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance is the presenter of the podcast series Highway See (found at HighwaySee.com) on the history of Tennessee's roads and bridges.

To learn more about Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance visit: http://www.TNinfrastructure.org/

Comments from Speakers:

Chattanooga News Conference:
For the past 100 years, our roads have taken us to the amazing gems scattered across this region. They have taken us to the places we explore, the jobs we work, the schools we've all needed in order to thrive. These roads are filled with those childhood memories of sitting in the backseat, traveling to beautiful places across the rural landscapes of Tennessee. The roads across the landscapes of our region take us to the places that matter most.

We commend Governor Lee and Commissioner Eley for the passage of the Transportation Modernization Act. It's time to think ahead to the next 100 years as we inspire responsible growth across this growing region.

As we make the most of those economic opportunities ahead of us, let's preserve the things we love about this corner of the State. Take a drive, take a picture, and tell your story and preserve those memories as we step into the next 100 years ahead.

Bridgett Massengill
President/CEO
Thrive Regional Partnership

Chattanooga News Conference:
As a representative of county highway departments, it is important to us that we highlight our strong partnership with the state, especially how it has changed so many lives during the past 100 years. Our highways help move citizens to and from their jobs, economic centers, groceries, local restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, and recreation and tourism hubs. We are part of a system that continues to grow and has growing demands placed on it each year. Meeting those needs does not just happen without the deliberate attention of all of us.

Brett Howell
Executive Director
Tennessee County Highway Officials Association

Jackson News Conference:
Infrastructure is crucial for economic success. Tennessee's highway system has been a key factor in Jackson's economic development success for over 50 years. Improving the highways can increase accessibility, reduce transportation costs and attract new businesses. Therefore, maintaining and improving infrastructure is essential for continued economic growth in Tennessee and Jackson.

Kyle Spurgeon
President/CEO, Greater Jackson Chamber

Memphis News Conference:
Tennessee is about to embark on a $3.3 billion journey to modernize its transportation infrastructure, which is especially meaningful to Memphis as a global supply chain and logistics leader," said Ted Townsend, president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber. "This is the perfect time to celebrate our state's proud legacy of investment in the roads that shape and define us in Memphis and beyond.

Ted Townsend
President & CEO, Greater Memphis Chamber

Nashville News Conference:
There are no free road. We appreciate the substantial funding commitment by Governor Lee, TDOT Commissioner Eley and the 113 th General Assembly. When there are future surplus funds, we urge those be applied to the
Governor's stated infrastructure priority.

Bill Moore
Chairman of Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance
& former Chief Engineer for TDOT

Media Contact

Susie Alcorn, Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, 615.398.0225, media@100YearsOfRoadFunding.com

SOURCE Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance