RALEIGH -- Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata are meeting with local leaders and transportation officials to consider all options for a recently widened section of I-485 in Charlotte.

“I am committed to having our team sit down with local leaders as soon as possible to discuss solutions for inadequate design, infrastructure and funding issues that were created years ago, which have been causing serious traffic congestion on I-485,” said Governor McCrory in a press release.  “We are open to reviewing and considering all viable options.”

During a recent widening project of I-485, NCDOT engineers had the foresight to expand an additional section of the roadway that could be used for a future express lanes project submitted by local leaders and the local transportation planning organization. Building this additional section now, to be opened in a later phase, saved taxpayers about $18 million and will significantly reduce the impact on traffic when the next project begins.

“We are always committed to working as efficiently as possible to minimize cost and increase productivity as we build important connections,” said Secretary Tata. “This project was designed to meet the needs of the community at the request of local leaders, and we will continue reviewing any options with local leaders to ensure we deliver the best solution for our citizens.”