News 14 Carolina's Shawn Flynn has more on the roads hearing and what came from it.
CHARLOTTE -- The public seems to be ok with the two-year delay of the expansion and completion of Interstate 485. That’s basically the message being delivered to the NC Department of Transportation.
A public hearing was held Thursday on the subject, though it was missing the public. Though there was outrage last fall when the delay was first announced, according to the DOT’s draft report, the public didn’t turn out for their chance to remark on the plans for transportation improvement from 2009-2015.
Only four people came out to the hearing, and nobody spoke about I-485.
“I was rather disappointed,” said Barry Moose, with NCDOT. “This is for the public. We provide this time for the public to express their opinions and views, so I was disappointed.”
So far, NCDOT reports no online comments from citizens on I-485 as well. That does not include letters from politicians. Regardless, transportation officials say it’s all but a done deal: I-485 will be delayed another two years.
“The reason it was delayed two years was the lack of loop funding, so the likelihood of it moving back up is unlikely,” said Moose.
Those who were at the hearing were there to support the creation of the Monroe bypass.
“It’s absolutely essential to Marshville,” said Carl Webber, Marshville town administrator. “It’s going to be an absolute engine for us as far as economic development and growth is concerned.”
Those interested can still comments on the road projects before a final decision is made next June. To do so, click www.ncdot.gov.