Gov. Bill Haslam has released his plan for road construction in Tennessee.

The governor told reporters that the plan identifies the specific projects that will be funded in the next three years.

Haslam has been making a case for increasing the state's gas tax for the first time since 1989 as a way to help cover a $6 billion backlog in transportation project funding. The governor has said that roads cost three times as much to build than when the tax was last increased, and that drivers pay less because cars get much better fuel mileage.

But lawmakers have been reluctant to take up the measure in an election year, and the governor has acknowledged that a gas tax is unlikely to be considered this year.

Of importance to Murfreesboro and Rutherford County are extension of SR 96 - Franklin Road and SR 99 - New Salem Highway.

More Information:

https://www.tn.gov/tdot/news/39243

• SR 96 - Franklin Road will be widened to 5 lanes from east of Overall Creek westward to Veterans Parkway and is in FY 17 (Year 1) funding.
• SR 99 - New Salem Highway is proposed to be widened to 5-lanes from Old Fort Parkway (SR 96) to Cason Lane and is proposed for funding in Year 2 (FY 18).