Mayor O'Connell files transportation legislation

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell filed legislation Friday to put his transportation improvement plan on the November ballot.

Why it matters: The proposal now faces Metro Council scrutiny, though there seems to be strong support.

What's next: Council must approve O'Connell's Choose How You Move plan and the half-cent sales tax increase to fund it before it goes to Nashville voters.

• Construction for the plan will cost an estimated $3.1 billion. The cost of construction, operations, financing expenses and reserves requires $6.93 billion in tax revenue in the first 15 years.

What's inside: O'Connell's plan calls for 86 miles of new and improved sidewalks, bus rapid transit routes on busy corridors, 12 new community transit centers and 592 modernized traffic signals.

What he's saying: "I'm proud to be lead sponsor on legislation to bring this plan before Metro Council and ultimately to Nashville voters," Metro Councilmember Sean Parker, who chairs the council's transportation committee, said in a press release. "We anticipate a thorough review of the transportation improvement program by all councilmembers."