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Highway 17/ I‑87 briefing warns of long timelines and rising costs for corridor projects
Summary
A transportation briefing to the Bertie County board outlined two short‑term pavement rehabilitation projects on US‑17 in the STIP and warned that interchange upgrades to reach interstate standards carry multihundred‑million dollar price tags and construction dates beyond 2040.
Mark Finson, representing the US‑17/64 association and NCGov, briefed the board on corridor planning and funding for Highway 17 and the proposed I‑87 corridor. He said two pavement‑rehabilitation projects touching Bertie County are on the state STIP (one roughly 2.2 miles estimated at $2.2 million, another about 6.5 miles estimated at $2.0 million) with letting dates scheduled near 2029; he cautioned those estimates may increase.
Finson also described larger interchange/grade‑separation projects farther along the corridor with construction‑cost estimates in the tens to hundreds of millions and dates outside the 10‑year STIP horizon (projects listed with construction dates around 2040), noting the state funding system favors population‑ and congestion‑driven projects. “Rural projects…have a really hard time in planning and budgeting in the transportation improvement plan,” Finson told commissioners, adding that a long term revenue solution is needed as gas‑tax receipts flatten because of greater vehicle fuel efficiency and EVs.
Finson reviewed North Carolina DOT revenue sources and noted recent shifts that direct a portion of state sales tax to DOT; he also warned of storm and disaster recovery costs that have strained DOT cash flow and may impact local maintenance budgets.
Why it matters: the STIP items and long‑range corridor plans shape local safety and economic opportunities; commissioners asked questions about right‑of‑way already purchased for Highway 11 and the potential for converting older purchased ROW into constructed lanes.
What’s next: staff and commissioners were invited to engage with the Highway 17/64 association and state DOT representatives on project prioritization and funding.
