Committee Unveils Statewide Road Plans

The 21st Century Transportation Committee on Thursday released its official plans for how the state should address its struggling roads.

The committee, created by the governor and the General Assembly, is proposing to stop the $172 million annual transfer from the Highway Trust Fund to the General Fund.

About $75 million of that money would go to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority for toll projects around the state. One of the top priorities is finishing Interstate 540/ N.C. Highway 540 in western Wake County. Construction could begin as early as this summer.

The remaining $97 million a year would be used to issue a $1.8 billion bond; the bond money would be used for interstates, public transportation, mass transit and bridge projects.

The transportation committee meets again to finalize its proposals on May 13, the same day the legislative session begins.