Road projects get red light due to budget

Raleigh, N.C. — Ten road improvement projects are being put on hold in Raleigh due to budget constraints.

The city planned to widen Rock Quarry Road from New Hope to Sunny Brook roads next year, but that is among those projects getting postponed.

"Given the gas prices and the lesser amount of driving, it doesn't seem to be a necessity right now. So that has been postponed,” Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said.

Improvements to Lake Wheeler Road, and the widening of Leesville and Mitchell roads have also come to a halt, after Raleigh city leaders voted not to move forward with a transportation bond.

“It's always a concern anytime you postpone something like that, but given the economy, it seemed like the right thing to do,” Meeker said.

Plans to widen Buck Jones Road hit the same road block.

Traffic "picks up around eight and nine in the morning, coming from Cary into Raleigh and then it picks up about five (in the afternoon), coming from Raleigh to Cary,” motorist Matthew Krachey said of Buck Jones Road.

Representatives from group 'WakeUP Wake County' said the decision to delay the road projects should be a wake-up call.

"I think the answer for the congested streets is more transit, because you can move more people at rush hour when the congestion is happening,” said Greg Flynn, with WakeUP Wake County.

Congestion that may only get worse.

“As we grow, it only gets to be more of a concern. It would be nice to keep up with the demands of the thoroughfares as opposed to waiting until a crisis occurs,” Flynn added.

There are two projects that did get the green light. The widening and realignment of Falls of Neuse Road at a cost of $6.5 million, and $3.4 million worth of improvements to Hillsborough Street.