NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — Middle Tennessee is on the rise which means more and more drivers are on the road. That's why city and state leaders are studying how they can improve traffic flow especially in the south corridor. It's an issue felt in Davidson, Williamson and Maury Counties, and traffic is one of the driving forces impacting several counties on the rise.
For six months, the Greater Nashville Regional Council has been working with a group of mayors, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and WeGo officials to study ways to improve traffic by connecting cities along the south corridor.
“Many of the people in this partnership many other mayors and organizations that exist are working together to find these multi model,” said Franklin Mayor Ken Moore.
According to the South Corridor study, by 2040, more than 2.6 million people will live in the seven-county Middle Tennessee area.
Residents and business owners met with officials to examine a variety of transportation options along I-65 from cities like Brentwood to Franklin to Columbia.
“If you look at most of the license plates on the interstate in the morning coming in about 40% of them are from Williamson County, Wilson County, Maury County or Robertson County,” said Nashville resident Rae Keohane.
Currently, with the help of a consulting group the study is looking at ideas like buses or a commuter rail to alleviate traffic pains.
“Continuing to invest in signal timing of our lights, we can continue to invest in multi modal sidewalks and bike lanes,” said Michelle Lacewell, Deputy Director Greater Nashville Regional Council
After the public input rounds are over final recommendations will go back to WeGo, mayors across the region and TDOT.
Then, those officials will collaborate and decide how to move forward with the best plans to address the issues.