LGC clears more than $900 million in construction project bonds

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Wake County and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) expect to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars for construction and renovation following a Local Government Commission (LGC) decision on Aug. 3.

Wake County plans to borrow nearly $600 million for school and community college projects. The NCDOT also received unanimous approval to sell $300 million in bonds, The Centre Square reports.

The Council of State also approved NCDOT’s request for authorization for Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds, which allows the state to finance projects based on funding it expects to receive from the federal Highway Trust Fund.

NCDOT Chief Financial Officer Stephanie King said the bonds are the eighth GARVEE bonds issued in the state. The bonds have a total interest of 1.74% and bring the outstanding principal to $1.17 billion, the published report says.

The funds will assist with the widening of Interstate 40, U.S. Route 321, Interstate 26 and U.S. Route 401 and projects on the Winston-Salem and Fayetteville Outer loops and U.S. 70 Havelock Bypass.

King said she expects the agency to close on the bonds by mid-September.

Wake County’s $548 million in financing will be used to accommodate the growing student population within the Wake County Public School System.

New construction projects will include Felton Grove High School; Wood Creek, Hilltop Needmore and Rex Road elementary schools; and Fuquay Varina Middle School, and others. The county also plans to complete renovations, purchase equipment and upgrade technology, the county says.

The LGC also approved $171.9 million in bond anticipation notes for Wake County for community college projects. Bond anticipation notes are paid off at a later date with general obligation bonds.

As well, $16 million in financing was approved for various projects in Thomasville, Bevard, Ayden, Landis, Swepsonville and the village of Walnut Creek.

The LGC also approved $52.5 million in revenue bonds for water and sewer improvements in Johnston County, $50 million in general obligation bond anticipation notes for projects in Durham County and a $13 million loan requested by Wilson County to match lottery funds for school construction, the report says.

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