The South Corridor Transit Alternatives Analysis is intended to provide the transit agencies, community leadership, and stakeholders within the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area a series of short-, mid-, and long-term recommendations for potential future development of a transit system between Nashville and communities along the south corridor into Maury County. The study will be the first detailed evaluation of major transit investments in the south corridor, but the 4th of its kind in the MPO area since 2007. Previous studies have included the Southeast Corridor Transit Alternative Analysis (2007), the Northeast Corridor Mobility Study (2009), the Broadway/West End Transit Alternatives Analysis (2011), and the Northwest Corridor Transit Feasibility Study (2017). Information about those efforts are available on the MPO’s website.
By 2040, more than 2.6 million people will live in the seven-county MPO region. While Davidson County will remain the major employment and population center, the majority of growth occurring in the region will be in outlying counties, with Williamson County’s population expected to grow 191 percent, from 184,035 to 536,434 people. Maury County is anticipated to grow to over 100,000 people by that time as well. As these counties continue to grow, expanded and diverse transportation options, increased connectivity, and improved coordination between local and regional transportation providers are imperative for maintaining the quality of life of those living in the region.
Jobs and activity centers are increasingly choosing to locate outside of Davidson County. While Davidson County has been the most significant draw of work trips from the region, reverse commuting and suburban to suburban commuting is becoming increasingly common as major employment centers emerge in the adjacent counties--the most notable being the Brentwood/Franklin Cool Springs area in Williamson County.
The MPO’s 2040 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) identified multi-modal capacity upgrades along the south corridor as one of nine major transportation corridor priorities. The south corridor stretches 15-plus miles between Nashville and Franklin, TN and another 20 miles to Columbia. Currently served by express bus service during peak commuting periods, the corridor is a top candidate for more significant transit investment over the next decade. The Franklin Transit Authority operates fixed route service in Franklin and the Cool Springs Area. The South Central Tennessee Development District operates the Mule Town Trolley fixed route trolley service for Maury County and surrounding areas.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation recently completed an I-65 Corridor Study which identifies multi-modal solutions for deficiencies along Interstate 65. The I-65 Multi-modal Corridor Study was an 18-month study covering a distance of 120 miles, from the Alabama state line to the Kentucky state line. The South Corridor Transit Alternatives Analysis will complement the I-65 Corridor Study and serves as the transit component of the effort for Davidson, Williamson, and Maury counties.
The primary objectives of the study include the following:
- Extend the community engagement work of prior studies to further define the transit needs along the region’s south corridor.
- Evaluate the cost/benefits of each transit investment alternative.
- Identify and recommend a locally preferred alternative for transit service.
- Assess the potential impacts of transit investments on economic development outcomes.
- Identify opportunities for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and transit supportive development.
- Incorporate community feedback into the cost analysis in order to recommend short-, mid-, and long-term capital and operating improvements.
- Evaluate land use policies/regulations for consistency with transit recommendations.
- Evaluate the existing institutional arrangements and make recommendations for necessary changes in order to facilitate the implementation of recommendations.
- Prepare a program of projects that can be advanced into the project development process.
- Develop a funding/financing plan.
The outcome of the May 1 transit referendum in Davidson County will clearly impact the timing of future regional efforts focused on congestion mitigation and transit. However, it doesn't negate the need for continued study and planning on these issues. In addition, the lessons learned from the Davidson County referendum will help shape this study in terms of public involvement/engagement and consideration of the impact of alternative technologies and modes (i.e. ridesharing, autonomous vehicles, etc.).
It is clear that Brentwood's demographics and land use policies focused on low-density residential development are not conducive of transit solutions. Furthermore, the results of this study will not alter Brentwood's long standing land use policies. However, as the region grows, transit in some form will have to be part of the long-term plan to address congestion in the Brentwood and Williamson County area. In addition, efficient transportation alternatives that provide options for workers traveling to Brentwood's major employment centers will be critical to sustaining local businesses and attracting new business. Thus, as a key business center along the south corridor and a communitiy that experiences significant pass through traffic given its location along I-65 between Nashville and Franklin/Cool Springs, Brentwood and its residents need to have a voice in the discussion and provide input toward selection of a locally preferred option for transit.
The MPO will require all work associated with this study to be completed within a 9 to 12 month timeframe. Various agencies along the corridor are partnering to fund this study. The total cost of the study is $1,000,000 with the bulk of the funding coming from Federal sources and local matching funds provided by Metro Nashville, Williamson County, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill and Columbia. Brentwood's share is $16,667.00, and staff recommends approval for payment of the attached invoice supporting Brentwood's participation in the study.
Service Center Director Mike Harris is Chair of the MPO's Technical Coordinating Committee and served on the selection committee to review proposals submitted for this study. He will also serve as Brentwood's representative on the Study Technical Oversight Committee. Three firms were short-listed and interviewed in person with WSP being selected as the most qualified. WSP is headquartered in Montreal, Canada and has an office in Nashville. Relevant portions of WSP's proposal are attached for your information.
Please direct any questions to Mike Harris, Service Center Director. |