Rising costs and budget shortfalls have forced Wake County commissioners to delay two voter-backed park projects.

The Buffalo Creek Preserve project and renovations to Green Hills County Park have been delayed to a future bond following a commissioner work session.

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"We do have a budgetary challenge in capital. Everything costs more," said Ben Canada from the County Manager's Office.

Funding for the now-delayed projects came from the $120 million Parks, Greenways, Recreation and Open Space bond voters approved in 2018.

Commissioners decided to delay the renovations to keep other bond-backed projects on track. During the work session, county park officials identified an $8 million project shortfall in funding needs related to bond-back projects. 

"Hate to see these necessary cuts," said Commissioner Tara Waters. "Some folks were probably attached to and expecting some projects closer to their own community, but I understand the difficult place we find ourselves in."

Other cities in the Triangle are grappling with ballooning project costs.

In July, the Raleigh City Council scrapped plans to widen parts of Six Forks Road in North Hills, an area known for its narrow lanes.

During a presentation, the assistant director of Raleigh's transportation department told city council members the cost to widen Six Forks Road from Rowan Street to Millbrook Road had grown from $56.1 million to $93.5 million, a 67% increase.

The increases are big news for regulars at Green Hills County Park regular Rachel Sagris. 

"I love to walk around and it's pretty relaxing," Sagris said. "I come at least three times a week."

The rise in costs is a common problem that developers are running into in recent years. Dave Simpson with Carolinas Associated General Contractors said 43% of member firms cited rising costs as the reason for project delays or cancellations in the past six months. 

"Construction spending has slowed somewhat," Simpson said. "I would basically suggest to owners of potential public and private work to hang in there and watch the market."