The governor’s ceremonial IMPROVE Act signing tour today

News release from the governor’s office

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday, June 5, will hold ceremonies in each of the three grand divisions of the state to sign the IMPROVE Act, a key piece of his NextTennessee legislative agenda that delivers a safe, reliable and debt-free transportation network for the next generation of Tennesseans while providing the largest tax cut in state history and making Tennessee more competitive in recruiting manufacturing jobs.

 Monday, June 5

10:15 a.m. EDT – Hamilton County Welcome Center, I-75 North, Chattanooga

(This location is near the site of the I-75/I-24 interchange modification project in Hamilton County to improve traffic flow at one of the most heavily traveled areas of Chattanooga through which more than 100,000 vehicles travel per day.) 

1:00 p.m. CDT – Acklen Park Drive (on I-440 overpass), Nashville

(This location is over the stretch of I-440 from I-40 to I-24 in Davidson County. The project includes pavement replacement and safety improvements to the 30-year old interstate that serves more than 100,000 vehicles per day.) 

3:00 p.m. CDT – U.S. 51 S. (at the future I-69 construction site, 0.5 miles southwest of Quality Inn), Union City

(This site will become the future I-69 in Union City and connect Obion County to the vital north-south corridor, creating greater access to other communities in west Tennessee and other states.) 

The IMPROVE Act, “Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy,” cuts nearly $300 million in taxes next year and more than $500 million in taxes annually at full implementation, including a 20 percent decrease in the sales tax on groceries and a $113 million reduction in business taxes on manufacturers.

 Nearly 1,000 road and bridge projects across all 95 counties will be delivered through a conservative, responsible and user-based approach of raising the gas tax by six cents and diesel tax by 10 cents, each over the next three years.

 Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville) and Reps. Barry Doss (R-Leoma) and Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) sponsored the legislation.