NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Diplomats from Russia are in Tennessee looking at the way the Department of Transportation conducts business in hopes that it will help in their own road programs.

The prime minister of the Russian Republic of Karelia toured TDOT's transportation Management Center on Tuesday.

Up until recently, the government handled all of the construction projects there.

Karelia is now beginning to use private contractors for some jobs.

TDOT sees sharing information about its business approach, as a "win-win" situation.

"Doing things the same way leads to the same problems. By looking to what different parts of the world do it allows us to be able to develop a better transportation system," said Tennessee Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Paul Degges.

During his visit, the prime minister also toured some road and bridge construction projects in the area.