Haslam talks road needs, urgency in Sumner Co.

Sumner County residents approached Gov. Bill Haslam and TDOT Commissioner John Schroer Wednesday with questions, concern and support on the proposed IMPROVE Act.

The bill, which was pushed back a week Wednesday by a House subcommittee, proposes paying for roads and other transportation-related projects by increasing the gas tax by 7 cents per gallon and the diesel tax by 12 cents per gallon, while raising the vehicle registration fee by $5.

"The people who use roads will be the people who pay for roads," Haslam said during the forum at Station Camp High.

This would be accompanied by tax cuts on businesses and groceries.

For the average Tennessee driver, the increases would cost about $4 a month.

"With that, you're also getting billions of dollars in road backlog addressed," he said.

It would allow about $1.15 million a year to complete state-funded road projects in Sumner County. Schroer said the proposal would allow 962 projects across the state to at least start within 10 to 12 years.

Some attendees asked if the transportation funding could come from the state's rainy day fund, which is currently in surplus.

"I just think it's way too much," said Realtor Donna Crowley. "They can probably find ways within the budget to fund (transportation)."

Haslam told the crowd the state's surplus is short-term and not reliable to fund long-term projects. He also stressed if the needs are not addressed soon, it could be years before they are.

"The reality is, it's really hard for a new governor to do," he said. "I would guess if we don't get it done this year, we're probably six years away. A lot of these critical projects just get moved back."

The message of urgency struck a chord with some.

"In general I might be against raising taxes, but I was impressed," Barry Richards, who also works as a Realtor, said after the forum. "He makes a good case for you. You can't put it off forever."

Some with ties to the trucking industry support the proposal.

"I would rather pay taxes myself for good roads and safe roads, than to pay for equipment that's been torn up because we got potholes in the road," said retired truck driver Joe DeBord.

DeBord said roads in disrepair can also prevent driving partners from sleeping well before taking the next shift to drive long hauls.

"They've slipped" on road repair, he said. "The state of Tennessee, at one time, I would consider one of the top in the country."

Other concerns included bottlenecking of Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, the lengthiness of projects and potholes.

"If the bill is passed that the governor proposed, 93 percent of the backlog will be completed in the first six years," Schroer said. "Our population is going to increase dramatically over the next 10 years, which means our transportation needs are only going to increase."

The governor encouraged attendees to share their support or concerns with legislators.

"I would like your help," Haslam said. "If we don't do something now  ... I think it will be several years until we do. And if that happens I think that Tennessee will be in a bad situation."

Reach Jen Todd at 615-575-7143 or on Twitter @jentoddwrites.

By the numbers

Gov. Bill Haslam's IMPROVE (Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy) Act includes eight projects in Sumner County totaling almost $260 million.

• State Route 109 Bypass in Portland: $34.1 million
• Bridge repair on Old Highway 31 E. over Little Trammel Creek: $1.432 million
• Bridge repair on Old Shiloh over Mansker Creek: $264,000
• Interchange at Vietnam Veterans Parkway and Forest Retreat in Hendersonville: $11.2 million
• Widening Vietnam Veterans Parkway from Interstate 65 to U.S. 31E: $199.2 million
• Bridge repair on Nashville Pike over Station Camp Creek (West Fork): $4.222 million
• Bridge repair on Nashville Pike over Station Camp Creek (East Fork): $3.775 million
• Upgrades from Wast Broadway to Dobbins Pike in Gallatin: $4.4 million