The recommendations will come from the governor's 21st Century Transportation Commission next month. The group has met for five months now.
RALEIGH -- State leaders will push lawmakers for toll road money to help with the transportation crisis. The recommendations will come from the governor's 21st Century Transportation Commission next month. The group has met for five months now.
The crisis comes as the cost to build roads continues to skyrocket. At the same time, federal funding is plummeting and fuel efficient cars mean less gas tax money.
North Carolina also continues to grow very fast. Four million more people are expected to live here in 25 years.
"I think you will see a recommendation that the transfer from the highway trust fund be stopped probably in a phased in approach," Committee Chair Brad Wilson said.
He expects the group to vote on short-term solutions on April 24.
"I certainly hope we'll see a recommendation for the gap funding for the turnpike projects," Wilson added. That funding will help kickstart the building of toll roads across the state.
The group will also work on finding longterm funding options and present more recommendations by the end of the year. But with a new governor and legislature in 2009, it could create challenges.
"I think it will make a difference," state Sen. Richard Stevens, R-Wake, said. "I think when we move forward with a new administration, whoever it might be, there will be new challenges to move forward."
"It doesn't make me nervous because it's time to bring some new ideas on the table and that's what we'll have in a new governor, new legislature," Beau Mills from the N.C. Metro Coalition added. "I think it's going to take bold action and I think it will take new ideas, new faces."
Lawmakers begin their short legislative session on May 13.