CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — Drivers and taxpayers are frustrated about the Interstate 85 widening project in Cabarrus County that is three years behind and $35 million over budget.
The construction was supposed to be done at the end of last year
"That's ridiculous, man,” motorist Will Lowhoi said. “That's ridiculous."
The expensive, 8-mile project, which started four years ago, is widening I-85 from Concord to China Grove.
North Carolina Department of Transportation officials hope drivers will be able to start using the extra lanes on I-85 by the end of the year.
A lot of the other work on connecting streets, ramps and bridges isn't expected to be finished until 2020.
Drivers said the delays are dangerous because traffic is being locked into narrow construction zones where there is no room for mistakes.
"I actually drive to Salisbury quite a bit, and it usually takes 45 (minutes) to one hour when it should take 30 minutes,” motorist Zane Roloins said. “So yeah, it's frustrating for sure."
Eyewitness News reporter Mark Barber and investigative producer Mike Stolp asked NCDOT why the cost of the project ballooned.
The spokeswoman for the department said work was added along the way.
In the long run, NCDOT hopes the project will save money.
"It will reduce our future maintenance costs in that corridor, so even though right now, it may seem it's taking longer and it's inconvenient, we're working to make this better," spokeswoman Jen Thompson said.
Drivers doubt it will make up for the $35 million the extra delays will cost taxpayers.
"You can't fix a problem by adding more problems to it," truck driver Christopher Pelton said.