Mayor Freddie O’Connell and his team filed an ordinance Friday with Metro Council which would allow them to recommend the transportation improvement program’s inclusion on the November 5 ballot. If Metro Council approves the program, the Davidson County Election Commission would then vote on whether to call the countywide referendum election.
Choose How You Move, An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety would offer dedicated funding for Nashville’s transportation system through a half cent sales tax surcharge. Data from a recent Vanderbilt poll confirmed that 84 percent of Nashvillians support putting a transit referendum on the ballot.
“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 Choose How You Move transportation improvement program builds on more than 66,000 ideas submitted by Nashvillians over more than a decade that informed 70 plans and studies. Key components of the plan are:
- 86 miles of new and improved sidewalk
- Nearly 600 smart signalized intersections that can read traffic and improve flow
- 24/7/365 bus service with more frequency, plus new crosstown and express routes
- Funding for safer, complete streets and 12 community transit centers
- Added security for WeGo, so security grows as the system grows
The ordinance filed with Metro Council includes proposed language for the November ballot that explains the program. Mayor O’Connell added, “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.”
Vice Mayor Angie Henderson said, “The Metro Code calls for a review of the program by Metro Council. I appreciate Mayor O’Connell’s collaborative approach and leadership as we push toward a transportation system that works for all Nashvillians.”
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Councilmember Sean Parker said, “I'm proud to be lead sponsor on legislation to bring this plan before Metro Council and ultimately to Nashville voters. We anticipate a thorough review of the transportation improvement program by all councilmembers.
“Mayor O'Connell's plan represents a clear improvement over the alternative: doing nothing as traffic and safety get worse. We encourage all members of the public to follow council’s deliberations and review the plan for themselves.”
Metro Council’s charge is to approve the program and surcharge, thus requesting that the Davidson County Election Commission put the referendum on the ballot. The first reading of the ordinance will occur at the Metro Council meeting on June 18.