An Act to Increase Safe Sidewalks in Tennessee

RHB/6/20

Sponsored by Maggie Niesen, Lily Fryling of St. Cecilia Academy

This legislation was filed in the Transportation category

Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference

1	BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH LEGISLATURE
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3	Section 1: The terminology utilized in this act is defined as follows:
4	a) TDOT - Tennessee Department of Transportation
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6	Section 2: This act will mandate that all new construction projects, developments, and roads with
7	speed limits under 40 miles per hour must have a sidewalk. Developers must design and fund
8	sidewalks with all projects.
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10	Section 3: The state would only pay for sidewalks on their projects which require them according
11	to the bill. However, the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s projects largely consist of
12	major roadways and interstates which would not require sidewalks due to their speed limits over
13	40mph.
14	- For every 200 square feet of sidewalk it costs about $3,000 for the materials and installation of
15	the sidewalk.
16	- Should a developer be unable to afford to construct required sidewalks, our bill creates a grant of
17	$5 million that developers can apply for to supply them with funds to build sidewalks. These
18	applications would then be reviewed by TDOT officials and funding would be granted based on the
19	level of need.
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21	Section 4: Funding will be supplied by the Tennessee Department of Transportation budget. The
22	only expected substantial funding needed for this bill is for the grant mentioned in Section 3. This
23	grant would be $5 million.
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25	Section 5: Appeals would be accepted for outstanding circumstances.
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27	Section 6: All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed.
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29	Section 7: This act shall take effect immediately upon its passage applying only to projects starting
30	after passage.
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