CLT to Obama: Stop NCDOT at the Federal trough?

We've talked here before about N.C.'s broken road funding mechanisms, particularly in light of the sudden appearance of urban loop funding for the bypass around everyone's favorite second-tier city, Fayetteville -- even as the East End Connector here in the Bull City awaits its own funding.

Now comes word that the head of Char-Meck's MPO -- the planning agency that helps guide transportation planning across governmental boundaries within a metro area -- has asked the Federal government to put the kibosh on more dollars for N.C. roads pending an investigation:

In a Dec. 5 letter to President-elect Obama, R. Lee Myers, chairman of the Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization, asks the incoming administration to freeze all federal funding to North Carolina for highway projects, saying an investigation into the state's Board of Transportation and transportation officials is needed.

Myers and Rand accuse Department of Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett and Democratic majority leader Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, of showing favoritism in a recent decision to allocate $275 million in funding over the next six years for the future Interstate 295 outer loop in Fayetteville.

Both Tippett and Rand are from the Fayetteville area.

Read more over at WRAL -- and, hey, kudos for the TV guys for scooping the N&O on this one.

Comments

[Tar Heelz]

Strong headline followed by a story that includes:

"Myers said the decision is political and, although legal, is far from being a 'systematic distribution of funding.'"

So Myers concedes it's legal but wants an investigation? Hint: Obama will have better things to do with his administration's time come Jan. 20.

[David McMullen]

I am shocked, shocked, to discover favoritism in the NC DOT!

Yes, Charlotte has gotten the short end of the stick on state road funding for decades, so they do have something to complain about. But hey, things like this happen all the time, in every state. I can't get too worked up over it.

And if the Obama White House really does start allocating massive funding for infrastructure projects as part of an economic recovery package, there may be plenty of money to go around. How ironic would it be if Charlotte lost out on getting Federal money to complete I-485 because they had asked Washington not to send any more road money to North Carolina?

Then there's incoming Governor Perdue's quote at the end of the article: "I want to depoliticize how roads and bridges and maintenance is done in the state." Best of luck to her!

[DanRNC]

Being from Charlotte originally I know that Charlotte bitches about everything although they have received a hell of a lot more money than the Triangle for road projects-they are the greedy bankers that can't get enough to fill their fat bellies. With that said, there is major corruption at the DOT.

[MinniePearl'sPriceTag]

I am a lifelong Democrat, I have volunteered for the Democratic Party for almost two decades and I would never vote for anyone but a Democrat (if they truly suck, I just don't vote in a race, that's as far as I go) BUT... having said that, the biggest problem in this state IS the Democratic Party establishment. They're behind this and every other mess in this state over the past ten years. What is with the North Carolina Democratic Party status quo? Half of them act like Republicans, a good third are as corrupt as hell, they'll make a deal with anyone and anything to stay in power, and they really need to change before they ruin the name of the Democratic Party for good in NC. I don't understand why rank and file Democrats in NC don't demand better leaders.

[David]

**I don't understand why rank and file Democrats in NC don't demand better leaders.**

In fact, some of us took a look at Bev Perdue, saw "business as usual" and voted for Mike Munger.

If I'm not mistaken, some Dems even voted for Pat McCrory for the same reason.

[KeepDurhamDifferent!]

I've said for many years that "rank and file" Democrats such as MinniePearl would be better off voting for the Green candidate (or Nader) -- a true liberal progressive. In practice this means on most economic issues the Libertarians would ally with the Repubs and the Greens with the Dems.

This type of coalition-building is what happens in most other western democracies not subject to two-party rule. It's the reason the Green Party joined the Libertarian Party of NC in our successful lawsuit last summer. (Disclosure, I am the vice chair of the Durham Co. Lib. Party.).

I hope others will see the light now that the bloom is off the rose (Obama).

[SeanD]

I can't help but feel this is big cities complaining that the state dare give a second tier city decent funding.

At the moment, only one leg of I-295 has been completed. Its a big boost to people who live near that part of US-401. But it doesn't help anyone else. The money they've spent on the one spur is mostly wasted unless they can complete more segments and make the outer loop more usable.

This loop has the potential to significantly increase the traffic between Fayetteville and the Triangle, which would be a boon for both areas. The existing spur already makes the drive to visit my parents in Fayetteville shorter and easier.