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Blackburn, Bredesen, and Nashville's traffic troubles

  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  What kind of support can Nashville expect solving it’s traffic problem from the candidates competing to be Tennessee’s next U.S. Senator?

 

Federal money will be key to any future solution Metro settles on to solve its transportation troubles.

 

The Tennessean this week asked Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Phil Bredesen how they feel about raising the federal gas tax to increase the amount of money available for road construction.

 

Blackburn agreed that federal transportation funding should be increased. But rather raising the gasoline tax, she suggested some type of user fee to be paid by every vehicle, not just those burning gas or diesel.

 

“Look at what is happening with natural gas as a transportation fuel. Look at the impact of electric vehicles…the EVs.”

 

Blackburn suggested forming a special committee including federal, state and local officials, to hammer out the details.

 

Phil Bredesen says he questioned the need to raise gas taxes while governor, and is skeptical just how much help cities like Nashville would get if the federal tax was raised. But he also questioned whether any city can complete an expensive project without federal aid.

 

“I do think the federal government has a role to play in helping cities that need this kind of transportation infrastructure.”

 

Polls show Blackburn and Bredesen in a tight race to succeed Republican Bob Corker as Tennessee’s junior Senator this fall.

 

Follow these links to the full Tennessean interviews with Senate candidates Marsha Blackburn and Phil Bredesen.