Mayor John Cooper is diverting $17.95 million from the stalled SoBro-Gulch Pedestrian Bridge project, allocated by the Metro Council in the FY2014 Capital Spending Fund, to neighborhood infrastructure projects throughout Davidson County.

“The quality of our neighborhoods is measured, in large part, by the quality and safety of our roads and bridges,” Cooper says. “When $18 million for the SoBro-Gulch Pedestrian Bridge was allocated in 2013, that amount represented 100% of the funding for bridge repair and construction for the entire 2014 fiscal year.

“Currently, Public Works estimates that $131 million is needed to repair and replace our bridges and culverts. Now is the time for responsible spending to address our most critical infrastructure needs and focus on the safety and priorities that impact all of Nashville’s neighborhoods.”

Of the $18M allocation in the 2014 Capital Spending Plan, $17.95M remains unspent and will be diverted to the following projects:

• $13.63 million of the $17.95 million to shovel-ready bridge and culvert projects, ranked in order of urgency by Metro Public Works, in 24 different Council districts. 52 separate projects will receive funding.

• $660,000 to replace a Shelby Bottoms Greenway Pedestrian Bridge, which has been closed due to structural damage

• $1.5 million for traffic calming, which represents 100% of the traffic calming allocation in the 2018-19 capital spending plan

• $750,000 for bikeways, which represents 50% of the bikeways allocation in the 2018-19 capital spending plan

• $500,000 for new trash and recycling containers, an urgent need highlighted by Metro Public Works

• $410,000 for emergency road work, which will allow Metro Public Works to quickly address needs as they arise

• $500,000 for street lighting maintenance, repair and replacement