Rand: I-295 should move forward

Fayetteville, N.C. — State Senator Tony Rand says the I-295 project is back on track, pending funds from a federal stimulus package.

“We are hopeful we will see the project move forward.” Rand, a Democrat from Fayetteville, said Thursday.

The next section of I-295 will bridge the gap between Ramsey Street and the All-American freeway. Work on the 8-mile stretch of highway is expected to take three years to complete.

Construction has been on hold and contracts have not been awarded as state budget problems worsen.

Department of Transportation officials said Thursday the I-295 project is on a list of priorities for the state, but stopped short of calling it first in line for funds. Ernie Seneca, a spokesman for the DOT, said officials don’t know how much money a federal stimulus package would provide or what the guidelines for using those funds would be.

Local officials and military leaders have said finishing the I-295 project is crucial for growth and security at Fort Bragg.

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Latest Comments

How about giving some examples on why this road is necessary for the growth and securtiy of Fort Bragg? Meanwhile, Charlotte/Mecklenburg/Union is dying from explosive growth and I-485 has been delayed until 2015 because good ole boy politics. If only Charlotte and Charlotte or Huntersville had real representation in our state government... (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/275/story/462480.html) and (http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/4193541/)

Quite frankly it is despicable. Meanwhile the NCDOT proposed puts in the very first NC toll road in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg/Union region. (http://mumpo.org/Monroe_Connector_Bypass.htm) So let me get this straight.... in order for Fayetteville to complete a pointless strecth of highway (I-295), they have chosen to build a toll road to leech the money from Mecklenburg/Union county residents to pay for it? Explain that one to me?!

edjoyner3
January 16, 2009 4:39 p.m.

TO MY PERSONNAL ESTIMATION THE PURE WORD OF NCDOT = TOTAL INCOMPENETENCE. START AT THE TOP AN LET THE HEADS ROLL. NOT AT THE BOTTOM AS IS CURRENTLY BEING DONE WITH THE LAYING OFF OF THE PEIONS= TEMP WORKERS THANK YOU

pbjbeach
January 16, 2009 4:10 p.m.

I would like to make a statement here an say that if mr rand an his cronies had allowed the ncdot an it's state hired inspectors to perform their duty's in the first an that being the duty of enforcement of the state speceficiations for roads an bridges an would not have allowed the wasteful an fraudlent spending of taxpayers funding then the ncdot would in all likelyhood be in better finicial shape today an it would have the funding to fund this requested project an others like it throughout the state of north carolina thank you

pbjbeach
January 16, 2009 3:48 p.m.

i still fail to see how this road is considered a necessity.

pack-man
January 16, 2009 12:49 p.m.

NC first in Highways, LAST in schools.

james27613
January 15, 2009 6:38 p.m.