WHO ARE WE? The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing infrastructure needs in Tennessee in order to enhance and promote economic development, safety and quality of life. Its membership will include Tennessee public officials, relevant business groups and other not-for-profit organizations representing the infrastructure interests of Tennessee citizens. Established in 2005, TIA works to build support for funding of infrastructure maintenance and improvements, by encouraging communication between varying interests, lobbying policymakers and soliciting public support.
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 From Executive Director Susie Alcorn It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce you to the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance. You are receiving this e-mail because, as a community leader you are keenly aware of your area's current and future infrastructure needs. I hope that you will join our cause, because for TIA's message to be as effective and comprehensive as possible, we will need your participation and input. You will be receiving more information on TIA's plans and upcoming efforts in the near future. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me at (615) 463-0026 if you have any questions or comments about TIA. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to working with you to bring needed attention to Tennessee's infrastructure needs. Susie Alcorn |
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Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers releases a report card on the country's infrastructure. In 2005, the organization awarded the U.S. an overall grade of D, with only the categories of bridges, parks and recreation, rail and solid waste earning a C- or higher. The country's water systems earned the worst grades overall. The ASCE's analysis found that Tennessee's numbers weren't much better. Vehicle travel on Tennessee's highways increased 48% from 1990 to 2003, and as a result, 32% of its major urban roads are congested. Congestion in the Nashville area costs commuters $730 per person per year in excess fuel and lost time. And driving on roads in need of repair costs Tennessee motorists $636 million a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs - an average of $152 per motorist. In Tennessee, 21% of bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. The state has 147 high hazard dams and 33 state-determined deficient dams. The estimated cost to rehabilitate the most critical dams is $23.5 million. Like the rest of the country, water is a problem in Tennessee - the drinking water infrastructure needs have been estimated at $1.4 billion over the next 20 years, and the wastewater needs are more than $604 million. In total, the Tennessee Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations 2004 Infrastructure Assessment has estimated that the state's infrastructure maintenance and improvement needs require $21.6 billion. |
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The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance will serve as an umbrella organization and a voice for various infrastructure interests, addressing the needs of the state and its citizens by:
In short, TIA is dedicated to the principle that adequate infrastructure is crucial to a better quality of life in Tennessee. |
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For more information, or to become involved in the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, visit www.TNinfrastructure.org or contact the organization at: Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance |
