CHARLOTTE (AP) ó North Carolina transportation officials plan to spend $3.5 million in federal stimulus funds to help finance road improvements near a speedway, even though the track’s owner agreed to pay the costs.
The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday the state Department of Transportation plans to widen Morehead Road and move it away from the Lowe’s Motor Speedway property in Concord.
Track owner Bruton Smith asked for the $75 million project two years ago in a deal with local government officials after he threatened to relocate the track. Smith had agreed to pay for the roadwork and be reimbursed over several years by the city and Cabarrus County.
The project will allow speedway officials to have room for race merchandise vendors on the same side of the main road as the track and reduce crossings by spectators.
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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotte.com