State puts transportation projects on hold

The North Carolina Department of Transportation faces a significant budget shortfall due to the coronavirus pandemic. This shortfall is a result of falling projected revenue from the state gas tax and NC Department of Motor Vehicles transactions.

As a result, NCDOT has suspended most transportation projects state-wide. There is no timetable for when suspended projects may be released or move forward as originally scheduled.

In Cornelius, these projects are affected:

* Widening West Catawba Avenue between Jetton Road and N.C. 73  has been delayed to start in 2024.

* Widening of U.S. 21 between the Home Depot store and Westmoreland Road  delayed to begin in 2024.

* Upgrade the Hickory Street/N.C. 115 intersection with turn lanes and an improved east-west alternate route to Catawba Avenue  suspended indefinitely.

* NC 115 Roundabout at Davidson and Potts Streets suspended indefinitely.

The Davidson Planning Department said these projects have been suspended indefinitely:

* Potts-Sloan-Beaty Connector

* Robert Walker Drive Roundabout at Davidson-Concord Road

*NC 73 widening (NC 115 to US 29)

* Kincaid Multi-Use Trail Extension

* All NCDOT maintained roads scheduled resurfacing projects