The latest round of public meetings for the potential tolling of Interstate 95 have been announced by the state Department of Transportation.
These meetings, one which is scheduled May 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Centre on the campus of Halifax Community College, will focus on an economic assessment report that is scheduled to be released next week.
Opponents of the proposal, according to Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President Allen Purser, may have gained an ally in the administration of Governor Pat McCrory.
“The current administration does not like tolling and the speaker of the house and the president pro-tem of the senate do not like it,” Purser said. “They don’t think it’s fair to single out one highway and don’t like tolling of existing highways.”
In anticipation of the release of the report and the governor’s take on the matter, stakeholders along the Interstate 95 corridor are petitioning the state to withdraw its application for tolling authority from the federal government, Purser said.
In addition to the HCC meeting the state will have meetings at the following locations:
Monday, May 13 at the graphic arts building 108 of Johnston Community College, 245 College Drive, Smithfield.
Tuesday, May 14 at the Bill Ellis Convention Center, 2904 Forest Hills Road, Wilson.
Monday, May 20 at the Workforce Development Center in the BB&T Conference Room of Robeson Community College, 5160 North Fayetteville Road, Lumberton.
In a press release announcing the meetings, the state says Interstate 95 is a vital stretch of highway through North Carolina serving commuters, accommodating vacationers and connecting area residents.
In 2012, NCDOT completed the comprehensive I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Study that outlined a proposed approach for improving the safety, connectivity and efficiency of the I-95 corridor, as well as potential funding methods for these improvements.
Based on concerns received about the proposed improvements and potential funding methods, the General Assembly directed NCDOT to conduct an economic study on the impacts of this plan. The I-95 Economic Assessment examined the positive and negative economic impacts of both the proposed improvements and the different funding methods.
The purpose of these meetings is to share the results of the I-95 Economic Assessment and provide information about the next steps in this process. Interested citizens may drop by at any time during the meetings to view project materials and discuss the assessment and results with NCDOT representatives in an informal setting. The opportunity to submit written comments or questions will also be provided.
Anyone desiring additional information may contact Derrick Lewis, PE, NCDOT Feasibility Studies Unit, by telephone at (919) 707-4663 or by email at
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Lewis as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.
Persons who speak Spanish and do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.
