The Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT), in partnership with WeGo Public Transit, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), and the Nashville Downtown Partnership, is working on a critical study to improve mobility and address traffic congestion in the downtown core.
The project, known as Connect Downtown, is developing an ambitious yet realistic plan to fund and implement projects and programs that serve the growing mobility needs of downtown, the city, and the region. Connect Downtown will include traffic and curbside management strategies, transit improvements, walking, rolling, and biking projects, and Vision Zero safety strategies.
More than 2,000 people participated in an initial public survey earlier this year. Respondents emphasized safety, connectivity, and travel time as important priorities and identified specific areas for multimodal improvements. From better crossings for people walking and rolling to more reliable bus service to dedicated space for people on bikes, Nashvillians are seeking a Downtown transportation system that gives people more ways to travel. Improving loading and delivery zones and addressing traffic congestion at major pinch points were also identified as key needs.
Using that feedback, supported with robust data analysis, the project team has developed strategies to improve Downtown’s transportation challenges. The public is being asked to help prioritize those strategies through a new interactive “Build Your Own Scenario” survey, which is available at ConnectDowntown.Nashville.gov.
This fun, short survey invites everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Downtown Nashville to select strategies that maximize benefits including safety, connectivity, and reliability within a limited budget. The results of this survey will be used to create three scenarios for further testing and community input. By combining infrastructure projects, programs, and policies in different ways, the scenarios will address challenges and meet the community’s transportation goals.
Team members will also be out in the community in the coming weeks to share information about the project, gather community ideas, and provide additional opportunities for feedback. Look for the Connect Downtown booth at Open Streets Nashville on Sunday, October 30 and other locations that you can view on the project website.
In early November, Connect Downtown will host two listening sessions for the community with short presentations, information stations, and feedback opportunities. The community is invited to stop in and chat with our team on Wednesday, November 2, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. or Thursday, November 3, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Both listening sessions will be held at the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation located at 500 11th Ave N, Suite 650, which is served by WeGo Routes 50 and 88 and offers free parking.
Learn more about Connect Downtown
Learn more about Nashville Department of Transportation
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