Tennessee Department of Transportation

History

Prior to 1915, the state had no central authority governing construction and maintenance of roads. The governor, legislature, other road associations, and local governments all attempted to serve these tasks, leading to a lack of planning and management. In 1915, a State Highway Commission was created to organize transportation services. The original commission consisted of six volunteer members. As responsibilities of the commission grew, this became inadequate, and in 1919 the commission was replaced with three paid members. By 1922, roads in Tennessee were behind surrounding states. Governor Austin Peay created a new Department of Highways and Public Works and appointed J.G. Creveling, Jr. as the single commissioner. Peavy also implemented a tax of two cents per gallon to fund the new department. The collapse of the banking system in 1930 resulted in significant losses for the state and led to an inability to fund the department. All of its workers had to be released. However, in 1933 the New Deal projects gave $11 million of federal money for highway projects. Diversion of federal funds and military enlistment of personnel during World War II again crippled the department.

Following the war, the construction of the new Interstate Highway system brought a massive boom to the department. In 1972, due to its expanding role in all modes of transportation, it was renamed the Tennessee Department of Transportation. In the 1980s, TDOT began the $3.3 billion Better Roads Program to clear a backlog of projects and improve aging roads. In 1989, the gas tax was set at 21.40 cents per gallon to help fund this project. Through the 1990s and early 2000s, the department began working on ways to improve efficiency and involve communities.

Organization

TDOT is headed by a single commissioner who is appointed by the governor. The leadership level also includes the Deputy Commissioner, and leaders for legal, aeronautics, community relations, and legislation. Three bureaus exist under this level. Most administrative offices operate from the TDOT headquarters in downtown Nashville, the state's capital city. There are also four regional offices across the state. Each region is further divided into districts which are then subdivided into county facilities.

The following table lists the regions, district offices, maintenance and construction offices for each region, and counties served.

Bureau of Administration

This bureau serves the administrative tasks of the department. It is further divided into the following divisions:

• Division of Central Services
• Division of Finance
• Division of Internal Audit
• Division of Human Resources
• Division of Strategic Planning
• Division of Information Technology
• Division of Procurement and Contracts

Bureau of Environment and Planning

This bureau studies environmental effects and ensures compliance with environmental policy. It also collects and analyses data to develop long range project and safety plans. It contains the following divisions:

• Environmental Division
• Long Range Planning Division
• Freight and Logistics Division

Bureau of Engineering

This bureau designs, constructs, and maintains the state's highway system. This Bureau is directed by the Chief Engineer. The majority of the bureau is split into two categories: Design and Operations, with each overseen by an Assistant Chief Engineer.

The Assistant Chief Engineer of Design oversees the following divisions:

• Roadway Design Division
• Right of Way Division
• Structures Division

The Assistant Chief Engineer of Operations is responsible for overseeing the four regional offices. They also oversee the following divisions:

• Traffic Operations Division
• Materials and Tests Division
• Construction Division
• Maintenance Division

Additionally, there are three independent divisions that report directly to the Chief Engineer:

• Bid Analysis and Estimating Office
• Program Administration and Development Division
• Strategic Transportation Investments Division

Transportation system

As of 2026, TDOT reports the following as Tennessee's transportation system:

Highway system

• Bridges: 20,253, including 8,500 state-owned bridges and 11,753 locally-owned bridges
• Interstates: 1,201 miles (1,933 km)(Centerline miles)
• 19 Interstate rest areas
• 16 Interstate and U.S. Route welcome centers
• 9 truck weigh stations
• State highways, 14,463 miles (23,276 km)(Centerline miles)
• Total highways, 96,187 miles (154,798 km)(Lane miles)

Airport system

• 70 general aviation
• 6 commercial

Rail system

• 19 shortline railroads on 817 miles (1,315 km) of rail
• 6 major rail lines on 2,138 miles (3,441 km) of rail

Transit system

• 28 transit systems serving all 95 counties

Waterways

• 976 miles (1,571 km) of main channel navigable waterways
• 2 ferries

Bicycle and pedestrian system

• 4,557 miles (7,334 km) highway miles with 4 ft (1.2 m) or greater shoulders to accommodate bicycles
• 216 miles (348 km) of state routes with designated bike lanes
• 487 miles (784 km) of greenways, sidewalks, and trails
• 172 miles (277 km) miles of designated U.S. Bicycle Routes
• 934 miles (1,503 km) of sidewalks on state routes

Funding

Funding for the state transportation system in Tennessee comes from a fund that is separate from the state's general fund which operates most of the other state agencies in Tennessee. Transportation revenues come from both federal transportation monies and from state funding resources. Those state funds come from a combination of dollars collected from gas and diesel tax revenues, titling and registration fees. Tennessee operates on a "pay as you go" system by using available revenues resulting in no debt service. Tennessee is one of three states in the nation that does not finance transportation through bonding. Critics of this mechanism claim that it inhibits the ability of the department to sufficiently complete necessary infrastructure improvements.

Leadership history

The leaders of the department and its preceding organizations have been: