RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A judge has denied a request to halt preparations to build a toll road through the eastern suburbs of Charlotte.

U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever III decided Dec. 30 that work can go on leading to the start of construction on the Monroe Connector/Bypass.

Dever ruled there is plenty of time to argue the case before workers begin building the 20-mi. road in Union and Mecklenburg counties in October.

Several environmental groups represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center asked for an injunction, saying the road’s planners misled the public about the highway’s air and water impact and ignored cheaper alternatives.

The authority building the road is waiting for a federal permit before awarding bids for the project.

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