Tennessee Rep. John Ray Clemmons Wants $9.2 Billion I-24 Deal Investigated as Former TDOT Chief’s Ties Surface

A former Tennessee transportation official's move into the private toll-road business has become part of a lawmaker's request for an attorney general investigation into the state's $9.2 billion I-24 Choice Lanes deal.

State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, a Nashville Democrat and chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, wants Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to examine how DriveTN emerged as the winning bidder for the planned 26-mile corridor between Nashville and I-840.

At the center of his request is Steve Townsend, a former Tennessee Department of Transportation chief of staff who later joined Cintra. The company and its parent, Ferrovial, are members of the six-company team selected by Tennessee.

DriveTN disclosed Townsend's employment during procurement, TDOT said. Screening procedures and communication restrictions prohibited him from participating in or receiving information about the I-24 bidding process, according to the department.

Clemmons wants investigators to determine whether procurement laws were followed and identify former Lee administration employees with financial interests tied to the winning companies. He is also seeking details about any communications those individuals may have had with Gov. Bill Lee's administration.

On Aug. 19, the Transportation Modernization Board approved DriveTN as TDOT's preferred private-sector partner. Cintra, Transurban, Tikehau Star/Infra/Capital, Ferrovial, Webber and AECOM make up the development team.

Under the proposal, DriveTN would design, build, finance, operate and maintain two optional Choice Lanes in each direction. Existing I-24 lanes would stay free, while motorists choosing the new route would pay a user fee.

Financial terms put construction costs at $9.2 billion and projected concession value to Tennessee at $24.8 billion over the proposed 50-year partnership. DriveTN also offered the state $1.5 billion upfront, a different financial package from those submitted by competing bidders.

Past business problems involving DriveTN members have also entered the fight over Tennessee's selection. Companies within the group have encountered bankruptcies, lawsuits and pricing complaints involving previous toll-road ventures, although Transportation Commissioner Will Reid said the state would not have shortlisted the team if its review had uncovered disqualifying red flags.

No final agreement has been signed. Tennessee is still negotiating with DriveTN and working with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Build America Bureau before the terms can be finalized.