Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Regional Transportation Plan?
The Regional Transportation Plan is a federally required plan for the greater Nashville metropolitan plannin area. Federal law requires each metro area of the U.S. to prepare a long-term plan that spans at least 20 years, identifies transportation needs and funding availability, and a fiscally-constrained list of proposed improvements to the transportation system. The Plan represents the collective interests of TDOT, local governments, and transit agencies across Middle Tennessee.
Why does the GNRC lead the development of the Plan?
GNRC serves as the federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Nashville metroplitan area. In this role, GNRC is the lead transportation planning agency for Davidson, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties and coordinates with TDOT and adjacent planning organizations to ensure a seamless transportation system.
Does GNRC create the plan alone?
No, GNRC is responsible for the development of the plan, however the projects within the plan are submitted by TDOT, transit agencies, and cities and counties in the planning area and are based on their needs and priorities.
Is the Plan important?
Yes. The Plan is the official blueprint for how the region will invest in our transportation system over the coming years. To receive federal funding - all agencies responsible for implmenting roadway and transit projects must coordiante with GNRC to ensure their proposed improvements are included in the adopted Plan. The plan includes both short and long-range projects and strategies that come together to build an integrated multi-modal transportation network that serves all Middle Tennesseans.
Why are there a lot of plans?
transportation. Every public transit agency has an individual plan too since each serves a different market or governing body. Similarly, TDOT has a statewide plan to generally inform residents and the legislature on how it will use the funding appropriated by lawmakers to maintain the state route system. The RTP plan unifies the most important regional transportation priorities from each of those into a single document.
Who approves the Regional Transportation Plan?
Working with stakeholders and the public, GNRC develops a draft plan which includes regional policies and funding recommendations. The draft plan is reviewed by state and federal partners prior to its adoption by regional city and county mayors that sit on GNRC’s Transportation Policy Board.
What can I find in the Plan document?
transportation system over the next 25 years.
The Plan also documents the project evaluation process and describes how projects will work together to address broader community concerns about quality of life. On average, the Plan contains between 300-500 projects to improve area roadways and transit service. The plan also lays out the timeline for each project and provides cost estimates and anticipated funding sources.