RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- An unusual probe by North Carolina legislators into edited state Department of Transportation letters in the final days of this year's legislative session is shining light on two proposed toll projects.
The proposed 7-mile Mid-Currituck Bridge and 22-mile Garden Parkway are in the planning stages and scheduled to be completed in 2016. But they could cost $1.5 billion combined and will require the state to put up tens of millions of dollars annually to ensure debt is repaid.
Public opposition to the Garden Parkway in Gaston County is vocal, while an environmental group who's sued over another toll project has raised concerns about the parkway and the bridge.
Officials with Gov. Beverly Perdue's administration say they are committed to getting the projects built.