MEETING - NORTHERN BELTWAY NOW

We had close to 200 people to attend the meeting on July 29. If you missed this meeting, there will be another one soon. So PLEASE check back for our announcement of the next meeting of the Northern Beltway NOW - Citizens Group.

ALL OF YOU NEED TO ATTEND....SO STAY TUNED!
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!


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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Considered A Priority?

"Considered a Priority" by who? On February 15, 2008, less than two years ago, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters stated that the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway has long been considered a priority by the Federal Highway Administration and the N.C. Department of Transportation. Secretary Peters also stated, "For Triad area drivers routinely stuck in traffic, this day couldn't come soon enough".

In February, 2008 the Record of Decision (ROD) was the final clearance...everything was on go..right-of-way acquisitions and construction planning. The estimated cost was more than $1 billion. Eastern Section estimated at $445.2 million and the Western Section at $447.2 million.

PRIORITIES CHANGE, as we are learning. Especially for those of us, after years of waiting, for that day when we could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. For those of us that are "Stuck in Limbo". All that went away when the DOT said that everything was on hold (a year ago) due to the State budget cuts. How does the state run out of money to build roads? What happen to the Highway Trust Fund for this project? Where did it go and what did it go for? Transparency just isn't happening.

What a difference a year can make! Other projects are NOW CONSIDERED A PRIORITY. The state budget shortfalls somehow do not affect these projects, to name a few:

Project U-2826: US52 "I-40 BYPASS TO PROPOSED WESTERN LOOP - Widen and Upgrade Roadway and Interchanges (12 miles) - "Right-of-Way In Progress" FY2009 - Federal-Aid Hight Priority

Project R-4750: US52 "Future I-285" (Davidson/Forsyth) - I85 to I40 - Upgrade Existing Roadway to Interstate Standards (23 miles) - "Right-of-Way FY2009"

  • When are they going to end the Highway Trust Fund transfers?

  • When are they going to take politics out of building roads?

  • Just take a look at all the projects around the state capital and ask your local representatives - What exactly are you doing for the Triad Area?
Wouldn't you say the "good ole boy" way of getting things done is little dated. Obviously, it is still alive and well, along with political clout.