Chris Bowe
@cbowe34.bsky.social
Father - Husband - Urbanist - Civil Engineer - Transit Enthusiast - Pro-Housing - Safe Streets - Metro Vision Zero Advisory Committee Member - Nashvillian
My thoughts are my own and do not reflect any other organization's opinion
My thoughts are my own and do not reflect any other organization's opinion
Chair Robison gives us homework to find a crash from 2023 for us to revisit at our next meeting. We want to see what has actually been done at these locations in the intervening years - should be an interesting analysis!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, we're adjourned. Thanks for following along!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, we're adjourned. Thanks for following along!
November 11, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Chair Robison gives us homework to find a crash from 2023 for us to revisit at our next meeting. We want to see what has actually been done at these locations in the intervening years - should be an interesting analysis!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, we're adjourned. Thanks for following along!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, we're adjourned. Thanks for following along!
VZAC Coordinator Val is now discussing subcommittees. Apparently we are allowed to meet in subcommittees, on Metro property and NDOT offices have been offered as a space to meet. We're discussing what we want to get out of subcommittees and which ones are important to continue.
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
VZAC Coordinator Val is now discussing subcommittees. Apparently we are allowed to meet in subcommittees, on Metro property and NDOT offices have been offered as a space to meet. We're discussing what we want to get out of subcommittees and which ones are important to continue.
VZAC votes unanimously by voice vote to endorse BPAC's statement.
Now we are on to less interesting administrative items. A few members are rolling off and have an opportunity to re-up if desired. We will discuss and vote next time.
Now we are on to less interesting administrative items. A few members are rolling off and have an opportunity to re-up if desired. We will discuss and vote next time.
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
VZAC votes unanimously by voice vote to endorse BPAC's statement.
Now we are on to less interesting administrative items. A few members are rolling off and have an opportunity to re-up if desired. We will discuss and vote next time.
Now we are on to less interesting administrative items. A few members are rolling off and have an opportunity to re-up if desired. We will discuss and vote next time.
CHYM business is now concluded and we are on to a discussion of a public statement on 3rd Avenue North. Chair Robison reads the statement that BPAC adopted at a recent meeting, explained below:
bsky.app/profile/kemc...
bsky.app/profile/kemc...
Our second statement was regarding pedestrian crossing improvements on 3rd Ave N. We are acutely aware that there are many other locations that warrant this level of attention and do not receive it. But this should be a really simple spot to fix, and we need to get it right.
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
CHYM business is now concluded and we are on to a discussion of a public statement on 3rd Avenue North. Chair Robison reads the statement that BPAC adopted at a recent meeting, explained below:
bsky.app/profile/kemc...
bsky.app/profile/kemc...
VZAC Austin thinks we can leverage the incredible educational institutions here in Nashville to help. He says we can have students on the CHYM team to help inform the program, and also cultivate the talent we need for future phases of the program once they graduate. I think that's an awesome idea!
November 11, 2025 at 1:02 AM
VZAC Austin thinks we can leverage the incredible educational institutions here in Nashville to help. He says we can have students on the CHYM team to help inform the program, and also cultivate the talent we need for future phases of the program once they graduate. I think that's an awesome idea!
I asked about the most likely "failure mode" for the CHYM program as a whole.
Sabrina says it is all about pace. 15 years is incredibly short for the amount of project work that has been proposed and approved by public vote. We need more talented people working on this to build enough capacity!
Sabrina says it is all about pace. 15 years is incredibly short for the amount of project work that has been proposed and approved by public vote. We need more talented people working on this to build enough capacity!
November 11, 2025 at 12:55 AM
I asked about the most likely "failure mode" for the CHYM program as a whole.
Sabrina says it is all about pace. 15 years is incredibly short for the amount of project work that has been proposed and approved by public vote. We need more talented people working on this to build enough capacity!
Sabrina says it is all about pace. 15 years is incredibly short for the amount of project work that has been proposed and approved by public vote. We need more talented people working on this to build enough capacity!
VZAC Lindsey says she isn't so upset about the risk of having to "redo" projects - she would rather us move fast on safety projects and if they need to be redone later, so be it. Saving lives in the meantime is worthwhile!
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
VZAC Lindsey says she isn't so upset about the risk of having to "redo" projects - she would rather us move fast on safety projects and if they need to be redone later, so be it. Saving lives in the meantime is worthwhile!
VZAC Olivia now asking about design-build as an approach to speed up implementation of projects.
Sabrina says we don't get through CHYM without D/B delivery. Mr. Briggs says we need an expert on this type of project delivery to help us learn how to do things in a new way.
Sabrina says we don't get through CHYM without D/B delivery. Mr. Briggs says we need an expert on this type of project delivery to help us learn how to do things in a new way.
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
VZAC Olivia now asking about design-build as an approach to speed up implementation of projects.
Sabrina says we don't get through CHYM without D/B delivery. Mr. Briggs says we need an expert on this type of project delivery to help us learn how to do things in a new way.
Sabrina says we don't get through CHYM without D/B delivery. Mr. Briggs says we need an expert on this type of project delivery to help us learn how to do things in a new way.
We didn't have a huge pot of money for that until we passed a half cent sales tax surcharge...
So hopefully TDOT will be happy to coordinate on big projects so long as Metro can bring the $$$!
So hopefully TDOT will be happy to coordinate on big projects so long as Metro can bring the $$$!
November 11, 2025 at 12:40 AM
We didn't have a huge pot of money for that until we passed a half cent sales tax surcharge...
So hopefully TDOT will be happy to coordinate on big projects so long as Metro can bring the $$$!
So hopefully TDOT will be happy to coordinate on big projects so long as Metro can bring the $$$!
Sabrina is explaining some quirks of Tennessee's transportation funding structure - pay as you go. We don't finance transportation projects with debt at the state level, so TDOT is continually asking Metro to bring the money for projects on state routes...
November 11, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Sabrina is explaining some quirks of Tennessee's transportation funding structure - pay as you go. We don't finance transportation projects with debt at the state level, so TDOT is continually asking Metro to bring the money for projects on state routes...
VZAC Jeremiah is now asking about state routes - can we actually achieve our vision on routes we don't control?
Mr. Briggs says cooperation with the state is critical to the success of the entire program, so it is high priority to forge stronger relationships with the state folks.
Mr. Briggs says cooperation with the state is critical to the success of the entire program, so it is high priority to forge stronger relationships with the state folks.
November 11, 2025 at 12:40 AM
VZAC Jeremiah is now asking about state routes - can we actually achieve our vision on routes we don't control?
Mr. Briggs says cooperation with the state is critical to the success of the entire program, so it is high priority to forge stronger relationships with the state folks.
Mr. Briggs says cooperation with the state is critical to the success of the entire program, so it is high priority to forge stronger relationships with the state folks.
CHYM early investments will also include downtown transit priority and planning for the SoBro transit center to make sure buses can get into and out of downtown more reliably and quickly.
November 11, 2025 at 12:40 AM
CHYM early investments will also include downtown transit priority and planning for the SoBro transit center to make sure buses can get into and out of downtown more reliably and quickly.
Michael Briggs is explaining an interesting pilot on West End Pike to repurpose parking between 17th and 25th with a dedicated bus lane! Hopefully the pilot lasts longer than the downtown bus lane pilot lasted...
November 11, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Michael Briggs is explaining an interesting pilot on West End Pike to repurpose parking between 17th and 25th with a dedicated bus lane! Hopefully the pilot lasts longer than the downtown bus lane pilot lasted...
Note that frequency may be achieved by running more routes to the airport and not necessarily running a bunch of 18 buses. Details in the works, but very much not figured out right now..
November 11, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Note that frequency may be achieved by running more routes to the airport and not necessarily running a bunch of 18 buses. Details in the works, but very much not figured out right now..
She also cites wayfinding and location of pick up / drop offs for WeGo buses as issues that need attention. It's like she's reading my mind!
VZAC Jeremiah wants us all to remember that locals support the airport by working there and need good frequency from other points besides downtown as well!
VZAC Jeremiah wants us all to remember that locals support the airport by working there and need good frequency from other points besides downtown as well!
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 AM
She also cites wayfinding and location of pick up / drop offs for WeGo buses as issues that need attention. It's like she's reading my mind!
VZAC Jeremiah wants us all to remember that locals support the airport by working there and need good frequency from other points besides downtown as well!
VZAC Jeremiah wants us all to remember that locals support the airport by working there and need good frequency from other points besides downtown as well!
He is hoping the new signals will come online some time next year.
VZAC Peter now asking about the plan for airport-related transportation upgrades.
Sabrina says frequency on the 18 line to the airport is really important - hoping for closer to 15 minutes sometime next year!
VZAC Peter now asking about the plan for airport-related transportation upgrades.
Sabrina says frequency on the 18 line to the airport is really important - hoping for closer to 15 minutes sometime next year!
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 AM
He is hoping the new signals will come online some time next year.
VZAC Peter now asking about the plan for airport-related transportation upgrades.
Sabrina says frequency on the 18 line to the airport is really important - hoping for closer to 15 minutes sometime next year!
VZAC Peter now asking about the plan for airport-related transportation upgrades.
Sabrina says frequency on the 18 line to the airport is really important - hoping for closer to 15 minutes sometime next year!
VZAC Charlie asking about when the downtown signals (like for events) will be operational out of the Traffic Management Center (TMC) in lieu of manual police traffic control.
Mr. Briggs says some signals still need infrastructure upgrades to run off the fiber system, including new cabinets install
Mr. Briggs says some signals still need infrastructure upgrades to run off the fiber system, including new cabinets install
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 AM
VZAC Charlie asking about when the downtown signals (like for events) will be operational out of the Traffic Management Center (TMC) in lieu of manual police traffic control.
Mr. Briggs says some signals still need infrastructure upgrades to run off the fiber system, including new cabinets install
Mr. Briggs says some signals still need infrastructure upgrades to run off the fiber system, including new cabinets install
I think it’s more that the transit hub will bring together all of the more local routes (including further down Nolensville) and ridership between the hub and downtown will be much higher as riders concentrate onto one line.
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 AM
I think it’s more that the transit hub will bring together all of the more local routes (including further down Nolensville) and ridership between the hub and downtown will be much higher as riders concentrate onto one line.
Michael Briggs now sharing a district list of CHYM projects that is listed on the CHYM website. They're taking feedback on the projects now, so feel free to check out the information hosted online.
Sabrina says they're working on getting a single interface that shows all active and ongoing projects
Sabrina says they're working on getting a single interface that shows all active and ongoing projects
November 11, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Michael Briggs now sharing a district list of CHYM projects that is listed on the CHYM website. They're taking feedback on the projects now, so feel free to check out the information hosted online.
Sabrina says they're working on getting a single interface that shows all active and ongoing projects
Sabrina says they're working on getting a single interface that shows all active and ongoing projects
Sabrina now re-iterating strongly that CHYM is "additive" to the transportation funding structure in Nashville and not the only game in town. NDOT still needs robust funding to fill in the gaps that aren't included in the CHYM program. That's the right way to view CHYM and I hope that comes true!
November 11, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Sabrina now re-iterating strongly that CHYM is "additive" to the transportation funding structure in Nashville and not the only game in town. NDOT still needs robust funding to fill in the gaps that aren't included in the CHYM program. That's the right way to view CHYM and I hope that comes true!
This is mostly to limit heavy investment in the areas that will see higher ridership and less heavily used segments will transition back to sharing mixed traffic.
November 11, 2025 at 12:17 AM
This is mostly to limit heavy investment in the areas that will see higher ridership and less heavily used segments will transition back to sharing mixed traffic.
VZAC Hannah asks why Harding is the southern terminus of the Nolensville Pike All-Access Corridor (AAC) project.
Michael Briggs up to explain: some of the AACs will have transition points where the AAC ends - mostly to align with future transit center locations.
Michael Briggs up to explain: some of the AACs will have transition points where the AAC ends - mostly to align with future transit center locations.
November 11, 2025 at 12:15 AM
VZAC Hannah asks why Harding is the southern terminus of the Nolensville Pike All-Access Corridor (AAC) project.
Michael Briggs up to explain: some of the AACs will have transition points where the AAC ends - mostly to align with future transit center locations.
Michael Briggs up to explain: some of the AACs will have transition points where the AAC ends - mostly to align with future transit center locations.
So there is a little give and take - we need to act quickly on safety improvements while keeping an eye on the full corridor plan so we don't have to rip it out in a few years... tricky needle to thread!
November 11, 2025 at 12:12 AM
So there is a little give and take - we need to act quickly on safety improvements while keeping an eye on the full corridor plan so we don't have to rip it out in a few years... tricky needle to thread!
VZAC Hannah is sharing her experience with Nolensville Pike - wonders how the pre-existing grant money interacts with the CHYM project and whether that will accelerate the project delivery.
Sabrina explains that the grant funds will need to be spent before the full corridor design is complete...
Sabrina explains that the grant funds will need to be spent before the full corridor design is complete...
November 11, 2025 at 12:12 AM
VZAC Hannah is sharing her experience with Nolensville Pike - wonders how the pre-existing grant money interacts with the CHYM project and whether that will accelerate the project delivery.
Sabrina explains that the grant funds will need to be spent before the full corridor design is complete...
Sabrina explains that the grant funds will need to be spent before the full corridor design is complete...
VZAC Lindsey is asking about funding schedules for the program and how VZAC can interface in the process.
Sabrina is explaining that CHYM is ~3x the size of NDOT's typical annual outlay on transpo projects via the CSP. Metro needs to figure out if it has the capacity to actual manage that much!
Sabrina is explaining that CHYM is ~3x the size of NDOT's typical annual outlay on transpo projects via the CSP. Metro needs to figure out if it has the capacity to actual manage that much!
November 11, 2025 at 12:10 AM
VZAC Lindsey is asking about funding schedules for the program and how VZAC can interface in the process.
Sabrina is explaining that CHYM is ~3x the size of NDOT's typical annual outlay on transpo projects via the CSP. Metro needs to figure out if it has the capacity to actual manage that much!
Sabrina is explaining that CHYM is ~3x the size of NDOT's typical annual outlay on transpo projects via the CSP. Metro needs to figure out if it has the capacity to actual manage that much!