Transportation improvement program filed with Nashville’s Metro Council

On Friday, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell filed an ordinance with the Metro Council to allow the transportation improvement program to be included on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The Metro Council, the legislative authority of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, would have to approved the program before the program would move to the Davidson County Election Commission for consideration on whether to call the countywide referendum election.

“Nashvillians told us in the Imagine Nashville survey that their top vision was for a more connected city, and today we take another step toward that goal,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell said. “I appreciate the council’s consideration of this program and look forward to voters choosing the transportation future they’d like to see.”

The program, called the Choose How You Move, an All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service and Safety,” would offer dedicated funding for Nashville’s transportation system via a half cent sales tax surcharge. A recent Vanderbilt University poll found that 84 percent of Nashvillians support having the transit referendum on the ballot.

The program would build on more than 66,000 ideas submitted by city residents over more than 10 years that informed 70 plans and studies, including 86 miles of new and improved sidewalk; nearly 600 smart signalized intersections; daily and year-round bus service with more frequency and routes; and added security for WeGo.

Officials said the ordinance includes proposed language for the November ballot that explains the program.

“We have prepared ballot language for council’s review, and I believe this language clearly and concisely describes the potential of the Choose How You Move program to alter our transportation future,” O’Connell said.

The Metro Council will hear a first reading of the ordinance on June 18.

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