Smoky Mountain News
January 9, 2007
By Becky Johnson • Staff Writer
A public hearing on dozens of proposed road projects in the region —
including the controversial Southern Loop in Jackson County, the Siler
Road extension in Macon County, and Corridor K through Swain County —
will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, outside Andrews.
Every year, the Department of Transportation holds a public hearing on
its list of upcoming road projects for the region. The meeting covers
all road projects in the DOT's most western district — including
Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. The meeting is held in a different
county within the district each year, forcing people to travel long
distances for their turn at the microphone. Speakers are limited to
three minutes.
There are several controversial road projects on the DOT's list that
could attract speakers. But the public hearing is a chance for anyone
to voice their complains to the DOT on any subject, from substandard
shoulders on their commute route to a congested intersection that needs
fixing.
• The Southern Loop in Jackson County — This four-lane divided highway
would bisect Jackson County somewhere between Sylva and Cullowhee,
bridging N.C. 107 with a freeway interchange. It would tie into U.S.
23-74 north of Sylva and tie into U.S. 441 south of Dillsboro.
• The Siler Road extension in Macon County — This new road would
parallel and most likely bridge the Little Tennessee River. The road
would pass by the doorstep of the new Macon County Library and
Southwestern Community College campus, but is also billed providing
access to private developers with grand plans for commercial
enterprises that would otherwise lack good access. It would also
reconfigure traffic in and out of the Clark's Chapel community.
• Corridor K — This four-lane divided highway would go from Cherokee
County to Swain County, passing through Graham County along the way. It
would be an alternative to driving through the narrow Nantahala Gorge
when traveling to Andrews and Murphy. Currently, there is no four-lane
road to get to Andrews and Murphy.
The public hearing will be at the Tri-County Community College on U.S.
64 east of Andrews. For more information call Ryan Sherby, regional
community planning director, at 828.586.1962 ext. 214.
Of course NCDOT would have their TIP meeting way out in Murphy and in the middle of a work day. How many people do they expect to be able to attend? Maybe they don't want any of us to be able to speak out about their destructive plans for Jackson County. Shame on DOT!
ReplyDeleteYes. I have to work too. They are gonna ruin this county. I will leave the county if they take my house.
ReplyDelete