Tennessee lawmakers are voicing growing frustration over delays in state-funded construction projects that were approved and paid for during the last budget cycle but have yet to move forward.
Just days after Christmas, members of the General Assembly said they expected to see visible progress on several capital projects across the state. Instead, many remain stalled, prompting pointed questions during a recent State Building Commission hearing in Nashville.
During the meeting, lawmakers reviewed how construction projects advance from funding approval to actual groundbreaking. Several legislators noted that projects approved as early as last year have not yet entered the construction phase, raising concerns about inefficiencies in the state’s project delivery system.
“I’ll be honest with you,” Sen. Rose said during the hearing. “I’m disappointed we have not already moved forward on those projects.”
Lawmakers pressed state officials to explain the causes behind the delays and questioned whether Tennessee’s current construction process may be contributing to slower timelines. While acknowledging the complexity of large-scale public projects, legislators emphasized that taxpayers expect approved funds to translate into timely action.
State officials responded by outlining the multiple steps required before construction can begin, including design development, procurement, oversight, and regulatory approvals. They explained that Tennessee relies on several delivery methods depending on project size and scope, with many smaller projects using the traditional design-bid-build approach and larger projects employing construction manager or general contractor models.
Officials also noted that Tennessee does not currently use the design-build model, which allows a single entity to manage both design and construction. Some lawmakers suggested the approach could accelerate timelines, as it is widely used in other states.
However, the state architect cautioned against adopting the model without careful consideration, explaining that design-build can place significant design control in the hands of contractors — a concern for the state when managing public assets and long-term infrastructure quality.
Lawmakers emphasized they are not seeking to bypass safeguards or oversight but want greater transparency, accountability, and clearer expectations around when projects approved by the General Assembly will move from planning to construction.
No immediate changes were made during the hearing, but legislators signaled they expect ongoing updates and further discussions as state agencies work to advance the delayed projects.
The issue is expected to remain a focus in upcoming legislative sessions as Tennessee continues to invest heavily in public buildings, infrastructure, and long-term capital improvements.
Originally reported by Chris Nalls in Fox 17.
