Legal Questions Over I-485 Funding Concern Mecklenburg Leader

A Mecklenburg County commissioner admitted Tuesday evening she's concerned about questions raised over the legalitiy of a plan to finish I-485 near Huntersville.

Channel 9 Eyewitness News obtained e-mails on Monday which revealed the state treasurer's staff had serious concerns about Governor Perdue's financing strategy weeks before she went public with her plan.

Perdue announced early in November that contractors will be asked to put up part of the cost and will be reimbursed over several years.

The state treasurer's office hired a private lawyer who apparently said the plan was illegal, and it looks as if the treasurer's office expressed concerns to transportation officials.

Republican Mecklenburg County commissioner Karen Bentley represents the part of the county where the last leg of I-485 would go.

Bently told Eyewitness News on Tuesday night she hopes the Governor makes good on her promise.

"We're taking great confidence in her commitment to getting that done," said Bentley, "and we would certainly hope that she has dotted her I's and crossed her T's to ensure that happens in the time frame that she suggested."

Eyewitness News asked the governor's office whether it knew any of the legal concerns before Perdue made her announcement and, if so, why she ignored the warnings.

The governor's office had not responded late Tuesday evening.