Solve Nashville's traffic problems, but don’t burden taxpayers with a transit plan

Steve Jones
·2 min read

Mayor Freddie O'Connell is in between the proverbial a rock and a hard place with the traffic problems in Nashville.

He campaigned for updated transit with no commitments on how to fund the plan. Everyone who travels to Nashville will agree that as soon as you hit the Davidson County line, it is a nightmare.

Something bold has to be done to correct decades of bad leadership in the planning and managing of the cities growth and infrastructure.

The ideas being proposed are for the downtown and surrounding areas. I do not see the remedy for the traffic.

More mobility lanes for bikes, buses and walking routes. So, where do the cars go and where are the parking spaces? It’s not a very viable option for the average citizen.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell shakes hands with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee after a ribbon cutting to celebrate the reopening of Broadway Bridge in downtown Nashville on October 18, 2023.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell shakes hands with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee after a ribbon cutting to celebrate the reopening of Broadway Bridge in downtown Nashville on October 18, 2023.

A simple action to change every other side street in congested neighborhoods to one-directional traffic would be a step in the right direction.

Column by David Plazas: 'No surprises,' Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell once said: Lesson for a new transit push

Citizens are still hurting from Nashville's 2020 property tax increase

In 2020, Mayor John Cooper and the Metro Council hit us with a 34% property tax increase to right the city’s finances. Fast forward, Nashville and Tennessee taxpayers are spending billions on the Titans’ new football stadium and rebuilding the East Bank.

There are major efforts to bring Major League Baseball and NASCAR. All of these may require taxpayers additional funds and will add to the traffic congestion.

Another view: As Nashville's cost of living rises, transit should always be part of housing discussion

Mayor O'Connell has been advised to hold a voter referendum on transit in November.

But Nashville residents are hurting with the current cost of living. Raising taxes so Downtown can continue to rake in billions of dollars a year is not in my plans.

I cannot afford a second property tax increase in less than four years.

I wish Mayor O'Connell success, but he must find a way to pay for this transit plan within the boundaries that are reaping the rewards.

Steve Jones, Nashville 37221

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville transit: Solve the city's traffic. Don't burden taxpayers