Nashville Business Journal
2:30 PM CST Wednesday

TACIR reminds lawmakers of state's infrastructure needs

Nashville Business Journal
2:30 PM CST Wednesday

The latest inventory of infrastructure needs for the state shows that
$24.4 billion in improvement projects are needed or should be in progress, but that less than half of that amount is funded.

That's a problem Pete Delay, Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance chairman, pointed out to lawmakers this week in a letter that notes the importance of keeping the state's core infrastructure needs in mind.

In late October, the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations released a report that looked at infrastructure needs reported by local officials, state departments and agencies in their budget requests to the governor. The report covers the five-year period from July 2003 to June
2008.

The total of $24.4 billion in infrastructure needs is a $2.9 billion
increase from the previous needs inventory released March 2004 and $10.8 billion more than the 1999 report.

Transportation and utilities infrastructure needs stand at $10.4 billion, according to TACIR, followed by $5.4 billion for health, safety and welfare. Education needs amount to $5.3 billion.

Of the $24.4 billion in total reported needs, $9.5 billion was reported as being fully funded and $600 million was partially funded. That leaves $10.2 billion in reported needs with no funding.

In a letter to state lawmakers and Tennessee's congressional delegation, Delay encouraged them to keep those infrastructure needs in mind as they return to their legislative duties this month.

"The decisions you make in 2006 will have resounding effects for years to come," said Delay in the letter.

TACIR is a 25-member appointed panel consisting of state and local
governmental officials and private citizens.

(c) 2006 American City Business Journals Inc.