Bridge Funding in TDOT’s Budget Request

Some good news is coming from the General Assembly and Administration about the possibility of new critical bridge funds in the FY2026-2027 budget for TDOT. While these talks are early, they are promising and a sign that our years-long discussions with legislators is paying off for highway departments.

The governor has proposed $425 million next year for TDOT, most of it being one-time funding for special projects outside the department’s routine maintenance program. Of that, $150 million is being dedicated to critical bridge structures, an ongoing issue for both the state and county governments.

In addressing a House Finance Committee this week, TDOT Commissioner Will Reid told legislators that the budget request will impact both state and local structures.

 “This is not just bridges on the TDOT system. TDOT and the State of Tennessee are responsible for the health of our bridges across the state, all 20,400 of them.”

Tennessee counties manage 9,341 bridges, inspected by TDOT as required by the federal government. The total bridges inspected statewide – including counties, cities, the state and others – is 20,400.

Reid went on to tell members that the influx of funding over the past few years has helped the department focus primarily on on-system bridges (federal and state structures). “With those off-system bridges, the counties and rural communities are continuing to struggle to be able to fund those bridges. We have a vested interest, because we as a state DOT are responsible for their condition as well.”

In addition to assisting with county bridge structures and off-system bridges that were written into the IMPROVE Act in 2017, he added, “Our goal at this point is to take that list and see how many of those bridges we can get replaced out of that $150 million.”

Key Transportation and State Leaders Scheduled to Attend TCSA County Government Day

While the department’s plan and budget request are not guaranteed to pass, this has been a priority item for TCHOA for the past several years. It will also be a part of our discussions during County Government Day, at both the TCHOA Board meeting and our Membership meeting.

Invited speakers include Senator Becky Massey, chair of Senate Transportation; Rep. Dan Howell, chair of House Transportation, Rep. David Hawk, chair of House Transportation Subcommittee; Kent Starwalt, executive vice president of the Tennessee Road Builders Association. Each of these guests, along with many others, has had a major role in guiding the dialogue for the need for an additional, sustainable solution to meet Tennessee’s growing transportation infrastructure needs.

If you have not already done so, please take a minute to register to attend this year’s conference. Your voice is needed in this ongoing discussion. Now is the time to contact your legislators and ask for a meeting with them to talk about these issues. You know better than anyone what your needs are in your county. Calendars for legislators fill up fast, so make your plans now.