Legislators Block Toll Road Route in Garner

Legislators have passed a bill that would block transportation officials from considering a proposed route for a toll road through Garner. The so-called red route would essentially cut the town of Garner in half. State officials say they don't want to build the road on that route.

But environmental regulators have required them to continue studying it because it bypasses a sensitive wetland area nearby. Democratic House member Darren Jackson of Zebulon is one of the bill's sponsors in the House. He says homes are not selling along the route and construction has ground to a halt because builders fear they'll have to abandon their projects. And a company that wants to buy ten acres in a nearby industrial park has promised to hire 225 workers if it's allowed to begin building soon.

"This truly is a jobs bill these people want to come to Garner and I can assure you that Garner wants them there," says Jackson.

The bill passed with overwhelming support in the House after sailing through the Senate last week. It now goes to the governor's desk.