NASHVILLE – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that WeGo Public Transit has received $10.7 million in funding from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for three WeGo bus projects and one WeGo Star project. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is providing $2.7 million in matching money to secure the grant funding.

“This funding will allow us to accelerate delivery of safe infrastructure that supports Nashvillians regardless of how they choose to use our roads. I am grateful to the state and TDOT for their partnership on these projects,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’ Connell said.

“We are pleased to continue to partner with the State of Tennessee to deliver improved transit infrastructure,” WeGo CEO Steve Bland said. “All of the projects funded by TDOT with this round of IMPROVE Act funding will support public transportation services and enhanced safety for the people of Middle Tennessee.”

The four projects funded include:

• $800,000 for WeGo Star arrival and departure tracking technology, providing real-time information for digital displays at the stations and sent to the Internet for transit user websites. Metro provided $200,000 in matching funds.

• $2.4 million for bus shelters and pedestrian access improvements on the new bus Route 71 Trinity, which will operate crosstown service on Trinity Lane from Gallatin Pike to the new Dr. Ernest Rip Patton, Jr. North Nashville Transit Center when it opens in the spring. The board is set to vote on approval of Route 71 later this month. If approved, it will begin service in April. This award will also fund improvements at Murfreesboro Pike and Thompson Lane. Metro is providing $600,000 in matching funds.

• $5 million for construction of safety and access improvements for bus riders on High Injury Network Roadways. The work will include crosswalks and shelters. The Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) identifies dangerous roadways for such projects and will be a partner in the work. Metro provided $1.25 million in matching funds.

• An additional $2.5 million in funding for the Southeast Transit Center Project (formerly known as the Hickory Hollow Transit Center). TDOT and the Federal Transit Administration have provided funds for the project in past years, as well. The transit center is currently in the planning phase and will be part of a large redevelopment of the former mall location by Metro Nashville government. This grant brings the total funds raised for the project to $20 million. Metro provided $625,000 in matching funds.

For more information, visit WeGoTransit.com

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About WeGo Public Transit

The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville MTA) and the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) are operating bodies of WeGo Public Transit, which serves 27 local bus routes, nine regional bus routes, and one train serving Davidson and Wilson Counties. Visit WeGoTransit.com.