The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) held a public meeting on May 24, 2025, to discuss the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project, aimed at alleviating urban congestion in Nashville. The meeting provided insights into the project's design, funding, and operational details.

The session began with a presentation on the project's visual representation, emphasizing that the new choice lane intersections will be designed to accommodate various traffic movements. This includes potential improvements such as widened bridges and enhanced lanes, ensuring that existing traffic on crossing arterials is not negatively impacted.

A key topic of discussion was the use of choice lanes by multi-occupancy vehicles. Unlike other states that allow high-occupancy vehicles (HOV) to use express lanes for free, TDOT clarified that only transit buses and first responders would have free access to the choice lanes. Regular users of the choice lanes will incur fees, while WeGo buses will operate in these lanes without additional charges for riders.

The meeting also addressed the interoperability of transponders for toll collection in other states. TDOT representatives noted that they are still determining the technology for transponders and are working towards a standardized system with other express lane systems.

Plans for park and ride locations were discussed, with TDOT collaborating with WeGo to align their designs. The project is still in the early stages, focusing on environmental studies and design, with future interactions planned with developers and transit hubs, particularly one being developed at the old Hickory Hollow Mall site.

A significant point raised was the project's funding. With an estimated cost exceeding $5 billion, TDOT highlighted the necessity of innovative financing approaches, as their annual budget is only $1.2 billion. The private developer involved will cover capital expenditures for necessary infrastructure improvements, such as cross-highway bridges.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the sequencing of construction and the projected endpoint into Downtown Nashville. While specific timelines and starting points remain undetermined, TDOT emphasized the importance of selecting appropriate locations for the project's phases to ensure optimal outcomes for Tennessee residents. The Transportation Modernization Board will set policies guiding the project's development.

Overall, the meeting underscored the complexity and scale of the I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project, which aims to improve traffic flow and accessibility in Nashville while also benefiting rural areas through the reallocation of funds.