"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
Construction on the final five mile leg of I-485 is slated to begin in 2015.
Six years past due.
Only... surprise!
Last month Governor Beverly Perdue promised to kick it off in 20-10.
She said it could happen if the state borrowed 50-million dollars from private contractors.
The state could then repay that money over 10 years.
We're thrilled Perdue appears to want this project fast-tracked...
I mean... we're the long-suffering Charlotte drivers...
We KNOW how much a completed I-485 is needed.
But it seems more research should've been done.
Turns out the state D-O-T can't borrow money from contractors unless legislators approve it.
And legislators don't meet again until early next year.
It's a red flag the Governor's office and the D-O-T don't seem to know the rules.
It's a red flag they're not on the same page as the Attorney General and state Treasurer.
It's a red flag that such a communication breakdown could happen on such a high-profile way to fund the project.
Wouldn't you have thought they would've known this BEFORE announcing the plan?
As much as we want to see the 485 project put on cruise control, we're uncomfortable with the nagging questions yet to be answered.
So, we say, proceed...but with caution.
We hope the details can be worked out.
We'd love to have 65 miles of outer beltway completed.
But beware at the same time.
There are many obstacles ahead.
This whole thing still seems to be a big "if"
Because WBTV is "On Your Side," we encourage everyone to "Speak Out" – tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
