Plans To Finish I-485 Hit A Road Block

North Carolina transportation leaders revealed the plan for making good on Gov. Bev Perdue's promise to finish Interstate 485 sooner rather than later.

State Secretary of Transportation Gene Conti was in Charlotte on Wednesday. He said the state plans to buy right-of-way for the project this summer, and that it is currently working through some air quality issues.

But the big announcement was that the state can break ground next year, but local leaders may have to be willing to shift money from other major projects, including Interstate 85 in Cabarrus County, the Monroe Bypass and Independence Boulevard to I-485.

A spokesperson for Governor Perdue issued this statement Wednesday night. "I-485 remains a priority for Governor Perdue and she looks forward to D.O.T. and M.U.M.P.O. working together to move this project forward."

Conti was presenting the information to local road officials at their Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO) meeting Wednesday night.

Before the meeting, local leaders were already reacting. They said the governor didn't mention there were strings attached when she made her promise.

Waxhaw Mayor Dawn Gardner called the situation "disrespectful" and "inappropriate." She said, "We didn't know we'd have to set aside other priorities we worked long and hard to designate."

Eyewitness News asked Conti about that.

"I don't read the governor's mind. She made a commitment and a promise, and she asked me to deliver it, and that's what my job is," he said.

If the state gets the money for I-485, the road could open in 2012 or 2013. It would cost about $220 million. More than half the price tag would go to the Prosperity Church Road interchange.

Previous Stories: May 7, 2009: MUMPO Dedicates Stimulus Funds To Smaller Projects April 24, 2009: Transportation Secretary Says 485 Construction Won’t Start This Year March 27, 2009: Another Possible Delay To I-485 Could Stop All Major Projects In Mecklenburg County March 5, 2009: Stimulus Money Stirs Debate Among Charlotte Leaders February 24, 2009: Perdue Hopes To Use Stimulus Money To Complete I-485