WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NCWill Perdue's financing plan to complete I-485 work?

Will Perdue's financing plan to complete I-485 work?

By Steve Crump - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Some people are wondering if Interstate 485 in Mecklenburg County will be completed within five years as state officials recently promised.

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue says the outer loop in northeast Charlotte should be completed by 2015, but she is having to answer some tough questions from members of her own administration about the new financing plan that would pay for the project.

One state lawmaker tells WBTV both the Attorney General's office and the Treasurer's Office are examining the plan to make sure it's legal.

While State Treasurer Janet Cowell won't confirm she has concerns with the Governor's plan, her office said in a written statement they are unable to determine if there are issues or concerns because they haven't received the contracts yet.

Perdue's office, however, says the governor's financing plan to finish I-485 is legal.

Earlier this month, Perdue and politicians from both parties were all smiles over the announcement that 2015 would be the completion date for I-485, but now there are questions surfacing regarding the creative financing plan used to pay for it.

State Representative Becky Carney chairs the North Carolina House Transportation Committee.

"I will tell you and the people of Charlotte, there is a dedicated commitment to complete I-485 as expeditiously as we can," Carney said.

Before any contracts are awarded, however, Carney says the state treasurer and the attorney general's office will review the process to make sure it's above board.

Matthews Mayor Lee Myers understands the need to review.

"My belief is if there is some technical problem, that it can be corrected in the legislature and we can move on without delay," Myers said.

Carney says that's why she sees no problem with finishing the project.

"People should rest assured that it will move forward because we have contractors that are ready to jump in and be a part of this new way of financing," she said.

If things stay on track, the bid process could start in the spring and construction will likely begin in the fall of next year.

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