Senate tentatively OKs roads bill
Wilmington Star
RALEIGH – The state Senate on Wednesday gave tentative approval to a bill that expands from three to nine the number of toll-road projects that could be studied and built in North Carolina.
Before it was approved by a vote of 40-9, a Senate panel earlier Wednesday added a provision designed to accelerate construction of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks.
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority agreed this year to study four projects but under existing law can’t build them all.
Supporters say the increase would make it easier to complete critical highway jobs as the Department of Transportation is expected to reduce the number of highway contracts this year.
If approved by the full Senate, possibly next week, the bill would return to the House, which already has approved an earlier version of the measure. (more…)
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