ROAD MEETING SET FOR TODAY, DEC. 4, 2008

The N.C. Department of Transportation is planning a citizens' information workshop today (Thursday) on the proposed N.C. 107 Connector (formerly called the Southern Loop) project. DOT officials are beginning environmental and design studies to determine how best to address congestion issues along the U.S. 23 Business/N.C. 107 corridor from east of Sylva to just south of the Western Carolina University campus. The informal meeting will be from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Hospitality Room of Western Carolina University's Ramsey Center. No formal program is planned, but citizens are invited to drop in and speak individually with NCDOT officials about project plans. Prior to that session, at 2 p.m., DOT officials will brief local elected officials on the project. The above map shows the project boundaries; according to DOT officials a route for the new road, which would connect U.S. 23/74 with N.C. 107, is not yet determined but will be within the area indicated above. Interested parties may also write, referencing Transportation Improvement Program project number R-4745, to Ryan White, NCDOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch, 1548 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1548.