Pressure's on...Interstate 485 timeline in the hands of MUMPO

The Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization last night heard from NCDOT officials on the impacts of their upcoming August decision on Charlotte transportation priorities.

NCDOT officials warned that if the completion of Interstate 485 is not the top priority of MUMPO - the project may not start until 2015.

Currently, MUMPO has the upgrade of 1.4 miles of Independence Blvd. to an expressway as their top construction priority. Construction of that project is set to begin in 2011.

In order to build the remaining miles of the I-485 Outer Loop sooner, funding from other projects would have to be moved into that project and the over $150 million improvements to Independence Blvd. (US 74) would make that happen.

In her 2008 campaign, Governor Beverly Perdue promised that construction of the missing I-485 link would begin in 2009 with completion in 2011 or 2012.

A blessing from MUMPO on I-485 would make it easier to move funds to that project.

MUMPO officials don't seem convinced after last night's meeting.

“We expected additional resources,” said Charlotte City Council member Anthony Foxx, a MUMPO member.

Weddington Mayor Nancy Anderson said Perdue “left her checkbook at home.”

Story Link:

DOT Official: Another I-485 delay possible ---Charlotte Observer

Commentary:

Well, the political pressure from Raleigh will be hard and heavy on MUMPO members - as this was a big deal in Gov. Perdue's campaign. Throw in a strong distaste of many Charlotteans for Raleigh - in the various delays and political games with this route - makes this a very important decision. Not only for those in Charlotte, but for a number of people in Raleigh, too.

Comments

California State Route 38

California State Route 38 is a fifty-nine-mile State Highway located entirety in San Bernardino County and a component of the Rim of the World Highway. California State Route 38 begins at California State Route 18 at Bear Valley Dam of the San Bernardino Mountains and follows an easterly course on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. California State Route 38 briefly multiplexes California State Route 18 near Baldwin Lake and branches east towards the 8,443-foot-high Onyx Summit. From Onyx Summit the routing of California State Route 38 reverses course following a largely westward path through the San Bernardino Mountains towards a terminus at Interstate 10 in Redlands. Pictured as the blog cover is California State Route 38 at Onyx Summit the day it opened to traffic on August 12th, 1961. Part 1; the history of California State Route 38 California State Route 38 (CA 38) is generally considered to be the back way through the San Bernardino Mountains to Big Bear Lake of Bear Valley

The original alignment of California State Route 33 in Firebaugh

Firebaugh is a city located on the San Joaquin River of western Fresno County. Firebaugh is one of the oldest American communities in San Joaquin Valley having been settled as the location of Firebaugh's Ferry in 1854. Traditionally Firebaugh has been served by California State Route 33 which was one of the original Sign State Routes announced during August 1934. In modern times California State Route 33 is aligned through Firebaugh on N Street. Originally California State Route 33 headed southbound passed through Firebaugh via; N Street, 8th Street, O Street, 12th Street, Nees Avenue and Washoe Avenue. The blog cover depicts early California State Route 33 near Firebaugh crossing over a one-lane canal bridge. The image below is from the 1935 Division of Highways Map of Fresno County which depicts the original alignment of California State Route 33 in Firebaugh. Part 1; the history of California State Route 33 in Firebaugh The community of Firebaugh is named in honor of Andr

Driving the Watkins Glen Historic Road Course - New York

Situated at the south end of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, Watkins Glen is well known for wineries along Seneca Lake and waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park . But one thing that gives the town much renown is its connection to the world of auto racing. The raceway at Watkins Glen Internationa l holds a number of big races every year, such as Six Hours at the Glen and the NASCAR Cup Series . The history of auto racing at Watkins Glen starts during the 1940s when the race followed a course on local roads and also through the streets of downtown Watkins Glen. It's a course that you can follow today, preferably at a more moderate speed than the auto racers of yore raced at. Let's explore the history of the original course, how it came to by and why it is no more. Organized races through the village of Watkins Glen and surrounding roads were first proposed and started by Cameron R. Argetsinger in 1948, marking the beginning of post-war sports car

Gribblenation

Search This Blog