Construction projects and utility upgrades needed to accommodate Tennessee's skyrocketing population add up to a price tag of nearly $78 billion, according to an annual report tracking the state's infrastructure demands.

Why it matters: That total is about $10 billion higher than it was in 2024.

State of play: The newly approved report compiled by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) is meant to provide state and local policymakers a roadmap as they work to improve transportation, education and public safety.

• The report considers projects that were in the conceptual, planning and design, or construction phases from 2023-2028.

The intrigue: About two-thirds of projects in the TACIR report aren't funded, although projects typically get more funding allocated as they move through early phases of development.

The big picture: TACIR's report reflects the cost of growth.

• Tennessee's infrastructure needs have increased for nine consecutive years, in tandem with significant population spikes, especially in Middle Tennessee.

Driving the news: Transportation continues to be the report's most expensive sector, with more than $38 billion in needs statewide.

• About $4.6 billion in transportation needs are concentrated in Nashville, where voters recently approved a new tax increase to bankroll better sidewalks, roads and transit.
• That tax boost, which went into effect this month, will fund a $3.1 billion improvement plan.

Education is another big-ticket area, with $19 billion in projects listed.

• That includes $6.6 billion needed for school renovations, a jump of nearly $900 million year over year.
• Schools in Davidson, Wilson and Rutherford counties accounted for most of that increase, which the report ties with "continued rapid population and job growth in the coming decade and beyond."

By the numbers: The infrastructure total includes an array of major projects.

• $157 million is earmarked for new student housing at Tennessee State University.
• Tennessee Tower is included, with $114 million for a renovation project and $136 million to construct a new building parking garage.
• A $119 million upgrade for the Tennessee Supreme Court building is listed.
• $23 million is listed for a gravesite improvement project at the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Memphis.

Reality check: The latest total does not cover recovery work related to Hurricane Helene damage in East Tennessee, which will surely drive costs higher in next year's report.

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Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell remains optimistic about the redevelopment of the East Bank, despite the fact that plans for a new Tennessee Performing Arts Center facility haven't come together yet.

Why it matters: An unprecedented, multibillion-dollar revitalization of the East Bank is underway, including a new Titans stadium, its surrounding mixed-use and a new corporate campus for Oracle.

State of play: Negotiations with TPAC hit a snag over infrastructure costs, leading to concerns among some Metro stakeholders about the status of the East Bank plan.

What he's saying: At his press briefing last week, O'Connell pointed to positive developments on the riverfront, including progress on the new Titans stadium and the scrap metal property under contract to be sold.

• "We have an incredibly high level of optimism. We continue to have great conversations with [East Bank developer] the Fallon Company. There have been ongoing conversations with TDOT about infrastructure. We continue to be engaged with Oracle about capacity needs for their campus development from an infrastructure and utility needs standpoint.
• "And I would say we're still in the process of continuing the conversation with TPAC," O'Connell said. "I'm not convinced that it has left the East Bank from a consideration standpoint."

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🤝 The new Metro Office of Youth Safety is working with young people to find solutions to end gun violence. (WPLN)

⬇️ The powerhouse Vanderbilt baseball program earned its lowest preseason ranking in 15 years. (Tennessean)

🎸 The owners of Legends Corner want to massively expand the Lower Broadway honky-tonk. (Nashville Business Journal, subscription)

Waffle House has added a temporary surcharge of 50 cent per egg amid rising egg prices from the bird flu outbreak.

Why it matters: Middle Tennessee is home to dozens of Waffle House locations. This is the latest sign of the disease's impact, which has also led to egg shortages and increased prices in grocery stores.

• "While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived we cannot predict how long this shortage will last," the company said.

📣 Tell us: Have you seen any local impacts of bird flu and the egg shortage? Reply to this email to let us know.

💭 Adam's thought bubble: If you're avoiding eggs, you can't go wrong with extra-crispy hashbrowns scattered, smothered and diced.

• They always make them perfectly at the White Bridge Road location.

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Dolly Parton never stops.

• She might be bringing her life story to the Broadway stage, building a kitchen empire, rolling out wines and bedazzling dogs, but that doesn't mean she's too busy to help her famous friends.

🎤 State of play: Fresh off her cameo on Beyoncé's Grammy-winning "Cowboy Carter," Parton is now slated to duet with pop princess Sabrina Carpenter.

The latest: Parton will appear on a new version of Carpenter's No. 1 hit "Please Please Please" that comes out Feb. 14 on the deluxe version of Carpenter's album "Short n' Sweet."

• "Yes that does say featuring Miss Dolly Parton," Carpenter said yesterday in a social media post announcing the new release.
• "She wouldn't want me to swear but holy s**t!!!!!"

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