NC Road Projects Delayed Due To NCDOT Budget Shortfall

Drew Bollea,

CHARLOTTE, NC – Major road improvement projects in the Charlotte region delayed due to a $300 million dollar shortfall at the North Carolina Department of Transportation.ย 

There has been a significant drop in volume on the roads. Fewer people buying new cars, getting gas and registering vehicles, which has led to the revenue decline.ย 

โ€œItโ€™s a significant drop in transport volume,โ€ said Jonathan Studnek,ย  the Deputy Director with MEDIC.ย 

He says emergency traffic calls are 5% lower compared to this time last year.ย 

โ€œI really think that speaks to the stay at home order and the fact that people really are staying off the road,โ€ said Studnek.ย 

โ€œWeโ€™ve seen substantial drops in traffic,โ€ said Kevin Lacy, an NCDOT Traffic Engineer.ย 

He says there has been a more than 30% drop in highway traffic in the Charlotte region. That number is more than 50% throughout the state.ย 

โ€œWe have not seen this type of long term widespread reduction in travel,โ€ said Lacy.ย 

NCDOT is funded through the gas tax, new car sales, and registration fees. But with fewer cars on the road, the state now faces a more than $300 million dollar budget shortfall.ย 

โ€œI am certain that it affects our revenue stream tremendously,โ€ said Lacy.ย 

About 15 construction projects in the Charlotte area have been delayed due to the budgetary constraints. That includes five in Mecklenburg county.ย 

The projects include work on.

  • I-85 at the Brookshire
  • Resurfacing and bridgework on I-277
  • Work on I-485
  • Rail work at the Charlotte Gateway Station
  • I-77 Shoulder improvements

โ€œIf theyโ€™re not driving and buying gas and theyโ€™re not buying new cars, then, of course, itโ€™s going to have an impact on our revenue,โ€ said Lacy.