Lee roads proposal: toll lanes, public-private partnerships, raising fees on electric vehicles

Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s administration is unveiling some of the proposals it plans to introduce as part of a major overhaul of Tennessee’s highway system.

According to a newly launched website called Build With Us, the Transportation Department sees several “solutions” to addressing a growing funding shortfall to address worsening congestion on state roads. They include:

— Public-Private Partnerships: Having private companies build and maintain new roads in urban areas will allow the state to spend more on rural initiatives like adding a lanes to interstates.

— “Choice” lanes: Creating toll lanes along existing routes to give drivers the option of paying to bypass slower traffic.

— Electric vehicle fees: Finding ways to charge all types of vehicles equally. Electric vehicles currently pay a $100 annual fee to drive on Tennessee roads while official estimate gas-powered vehicles pay an average of about $300 in combined state and federal fuel taxes.

— Delivery updates: Speeding up the way road projects are move from the planning and bidding phases to construction.

— Staff pay: Eliminating unfilled positions at the Transportation Department and spending the $34 million on raising salaries for remaining workers to market rates.