Jan. 9. By Dave Vieser. Cornelius Town Commissioner Denis Bilodeau says he will push for more local authority to address smaller transportation solutions “that have big results.”

He’s a member of the town’s Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) as well as the Charlotte Regional Planning Transportation Organization (CRPTO).

DENIS BILODEAU

Quality of life issues

“To put it mildly, the NCDOT is struggling at a new level of frustration,” said Bilodeau. “We should not accept that it takes 2-3 years to get a new crosswalk on West Catawba Avenue, or a week to fill a pothole. The town should have the right to run out and take care of these issues, even on state roads. These are important quality of life issues for our citizens.”

Potholes, for example

As an example, he cited a pothole on state maintained Westmoreland Road near the I 77 bridge, which lasted days before being filled.

Bilodeau said he envisioned that an arrangement whereby the town does the work and bills the state might work. He plans to discuss this and other options with the TAB at their meeting Jan. 10 at Town Hall.

“In summary, I would like to improve response time for minor road improvements,” he said.

The meeting at 6 pm tomorrow in Room 217 is open to the public.