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NCDOT cites statewide cost escalation as reason for delay to Old Monroe Road widening; town presses for details
Summary
Town staff read NCDOT responses showing the widening of Old Monroe Road (U-4714B) is delayed to FY 2028 because of statewide cost increases and project readiness; town council discussed pursuing additional follow-up with DOT and elected officials.
Indian Trail town officials told the Town Council on Feb. 25 that the state’s draft State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) shows a two-year construction delay for the town’s segment of the Old Monroe Road widening (project U-4714B), and that NCDOT attributes the delay mainly to statewide construction cost escalation and project-readiness issues.
Councilmember Clarence (who led the agenda discussion) read NCDOT’s written responses to six questions the town submitted after a recent CRTPO meeting. The state’s reply said that construction-cost estimates have risen sharply: “Statewide project cost increases total approximately $11,000,000,000 since the adoption of the 2024 through … STIP,” the response said, and that the STIP had been “over programmed” because of those increases. As a result, projects statewide were being delayed to keep the STIP fiscally constrained.
NCDOT’s answers addressed whether funds from the Matthews portion of the corridor could be reprogrammed to speed the Indian Trail segment. The department said funds associated with the Matthews subsegment are committed under the same project ID but are not available early enough in the FY cycle to prevent a delay for U-4714B. NCDOT also said the Indian Trail segment faced more “impactful right-of-way and utility delays,” which contributed to the schedule change.
Town staff asked whether maintenance work would be done on the existing Old Monroe Road while the project waits. NCDOT replied it will “conduct an evaluation of the pavement conditions, and we’ll make any needed repairs” and will consider the extended timeline when prioritizing repairs.
Councilmembers pressed staff about whether the town’s $5 million contribution toward the project could be reallocated, and whether other corridor segments (such as Stallings and Matthews) were similarly delayed. NCDOT’s written response said the Matthews section (U4714AA) remains on a different schedule and that removal of that segment from the STIP did not free funds early enough to avoid the Indian Trail delay.
Town staff and council members said they plan further outreach, including conversations with NCDOT representatives and state lawmakers during the League of Municipalities’ event in Raleigh. Councilmembers described the delay as frustrating and discussed the possibility of bringing DOT officials to a future council meeting. No formal council vote was taken at the meeting on Feb. 25.
