Reported By Marc Stewart
POSTED: 9:00 am CDT August 12, 2008
UPDATED: 10:18 am CDT August 12, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The state is looking at a new way to maintain the roads and highways in Tennessee and save taxpayers' money.
There is discussion of privatizing parts of the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Supporters said if a private company were to maintain the roads, the state could save anywhere from 15 to 20 percent.
Everything from signs to litter removal to guard rail repair would be handled by a private firm. Something similar is already being done in North Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Texas.
"The biggest challenge is to continually push yourself to do things in a more efficient manner," said Troy Dover of Brentwood based Infrastructure Corporation of America
Dover said he would like to add Tennessee to his client list and said states set the standards and determine what roadways would be covered by his firm.
"If you don't meet the thresholds that are required, then there are penalties or reduction in payment because of that," said Dover.
TDOT has been looking at this outsourcing possibility for several months. For now, the state feels the savings are not there yet.
"It's something we need to look at as we continue to maintain the roads and the conditions they're in," said TDOT Chief Engineer Paul Degges.
In the long-term, state officials said the concept of private road commission is on the short list of money-saving options. Interstates would likely get the first look if this plan goes through.
Once a contract is accepted, some of the work is also outsourced, which is a concept that's been around for 10 years.
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