Months ago, I pledged to help finish the I-485 project years ahead of schedule. Last week, I was in Charlotte to announce the innovative financing plan that will make this a reality. And yesterday, DOT began to execute the plan. Below is an excerpt from the DOT press release:
The N.C. Department of Transportation today published an advertisement requesting submissions from contractors interesting in bidding on the last leg of the Interstate 485 Outer Loop around Charlotte.
The Request for Qualifications is the first step in the bidding process for three related projects to complete the loop and widen I-85 into Cabarrus County. By replying, teams of designers and builders indicate their interest in the project and will be evaluated by NCDOT to determine those best able to perform the work.
The next step will be for the department to host an industry forum to explain the project and answer questions from contractors…
The department expects to open bids in late spring or early summer 2010 and begin construction on the first phase by the end of the year. The plan accelerates construction of the loop by about five years, with completion of the first phase scheduled by 2015…
Interested parties may view the Request for Qualifications on the DOT Web site at http://www.ncdot.gov/doh/preconstruct/altern/design_build/R2248E/R2248E.html.