RALEIGH - Legislation repealing the method the N.C. Department of Transportation uses to keep land values in check while planning for large road projects has cleared the state House. The  House voted unanimously Thursday to eliminate the Map Act originally approved in 1987. It prevents landowners in the path of future highways from improving their property and increasing land value. Rep. Rayne Brown of Lexington says court cases have paved the way for this change.

"It has had devastating effects on home owners and property owners all across this state."

The state Court of Appeals ruled NCDOT had effectively taken private property along a planned Forsyth County highway route when it published a map freezing development. The bill  heads to the Senate.