CHARLOTTE, NC - Possible design changes could delay the start of construction on Independence Blvd.

The widening project is scheduled to begin in June. But the start date could be pushed to 2013 because city planners would like to add a mass transit corridor. One option would be a commuter rail line running in the middle of the state highway.

But more delays mean more concerns for residents dealing with prep work.

"Maybe if nothing else, just clean it up until the sidewalk is put there, and then when the sidewalk is put there, come in, fix the driveway and re-seed it," said Earl "Buddy" Springer, who sometimes feels like he's on the road to nowhere.

As part of the Independence Boulevard widening project, North Carolina Department of Transportation bought part of Buddy's front yard for a sidewalk.

"The agreement was," said Springer, "that they cut the trees down, remove the stumps, re-seed the yard, smooth it out, clean it up, and fix my driveway."

Duke Energy sent a contractor to cut down two trees and install power poles for new lines. The crew left sawdust everywhere, limbs scattered, tire tracks on his driveway, and several huge holes.

"The tree people cut these big pieces out and they fell and hit the yard," said Springer, "some of them are a foot deep; it sounded like a bomb going off in the house."

The tree stumps were left in the ground. It's the state's responsibility to remove them. But, when buddy called NCDOT, he was told it could be a year before that happens, because the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County want to make changes to the project.

"I said, 'I've got to live in this mess for a year?' and he said, 'it looks like it'," said Springer.

What are the possible delays with widening Independence Boulevard? FOX Charlotte has learned some road planners within city, county and state government are having conversations about having Independence Boulevard curb inward instead of outward. That way, the water would drain right through the middle of the roadway.

Also, some within Charlotte city government would like to have the option of having mass transit go right through the middle of Independence Boulevard some time in the future.

The delays, along with the empty buildings and houses raise concerns for Buddy and his neighbors.  As this story developed, police showed up to investigate someone that possibly broke into an empty house.

Mike Jolly, who lives next door, says people have been coming around, and dumping trash.

"You know, they've been talking about this project," said Jolly, "and it keeps getting delayed after another delay."

For now, the possibility of delays are part of an ongoing conversation between city, county and state planners. Nothing has been set.

As for Buddy's front yard, Duke Energy says it will send someone out to his home to see if they can make his yard look better.