It isn't that Cary councilwoman Julie Robinson disagrees with making traffic in the Triangle run smoother.

She just thinks the $49.2 million project to widen parts of I-40 isn't the way to do it.

"We can not pave our way out of our problems," Robison said at the Operations Committee meeting Monday night.

Committee members discussed the state Department of Transportation's plans to widen I-40 between Wade Avenue and I-440/US1/64.

"They help for 15 to 20 minutes of the day and otherwise it's smooth sailing," Robison said of widening the road. "Let's start looking at bankrolling some of these widening projects so that we can put it into the future which I believe is a mass transit."

The widening project is expected to begin in 2010. This particular portion of the freeway would have noise barriers and a cable guardrail median barrier.

Committee members said they were concerned that the DOT did not include landscaping in the plans.

Councilwoman Gale Adcock suggested that Cary staffer ask the DOT to develop a landscaping plan for a median.

Committee members also discussed developing a potential "free expression space" in Cary. Public Works Director Mike Bajorek said he did not recommend building the space because of the negative effects.

"While it's a great space for youth artists to express themselves, our research has indicated even the most successful walls have illegal graffiti around those walls," Bajorek said. "Also, there's content put on the walls that could cause problems to people viewing it from the neighborhood."

Councilwoman Robinson suggested a trial at one of the schools, with student monitoring the content in a tunnel.

"I certainly will certainly support the staff recommendation," Robinson said, adding that she would be open to the idea if a local Cary school approached the council with a trial suggestion.