RPO Members, Press, Jackson Trans Task Force, and Interested Citizens:
NOTICE OF A CITIZENS INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP
FOR PROPOSED NC 107 UPGRADES FROM US 23 BUSINESS IN SYLVA
TO WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
TIP Project No. FS-0814A WBS No. 34263.1.1 Jackson County
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold a public meeting, known as a Citizens Informational Workshop, for the above mentioned highway project, on Tuesday, November 9, 2010. This public meeting will be held at Southwestern Community College, Jackson Campus, in the Balsam Center (Myers Auditorium lobby), located at 447 College Road, in Sylva, beginning at 5:00 pm and ending at 7:00 pm.
The purpose of this Citizens Informational Workshop is to provide information regarding the proposed project and to obtain public input. The project is currently in the “feasibility study” stage to identify ways to address traffic congestion and improve mobility along NC 107 from US 23 Business in Sylva to Western Carolina University in Jackson County .
Interested citizens may drop by anytime between the hours of 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm and view the project maps on display. NCDOT representatives will be available in an informal setting to answer questions and receive comments relative to the proposed project. The opportunity to submit written comments or questions will also be provided and is encouraged. Please note: there will be no formal presentation.
Anyone desiring additional information may contact Derrick Lewis, P.E. Feasibility Studies Unit, by telephone (919) 715-5572 or email: dlewis@ncdot.gov, or NCDOT Consultant, Mark Reep, with Florence & Hutcheson, Inc., at (919) 851-6066 or email: mreep@flohut.com.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Mr. Lewis as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.
NCDOT representatives will be available in an informal setting to answer questions and receive comments relative to the improvements of NC 107 from Bus 23 to WCU. The opportunity to submit written comments or questions will also be provided and is encouraged. Please note: there will be no formal presentation.
Please contact me if you have any questions, or if you would like for me to forward your comments on the project to the appropriate parties.
Ryan Sherby
Regional Planner
Southwestern Commission
125 Bonnie Lane
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 586-1962 ext 214
http://www.regiona.org.htm
Smart Roads Alliance
The Jackson County Smart Roads Alliance was formed in 2002 in response to a proposal by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to build a new $132 million* highway through the middle of our most precious and beautiful rural county. Our goal since 2002 has been to work together as a community and create smart solutions to our traffic and transportation issues. (* $132 million construction cost source: NCDOT 2008)
For the latest news and information:
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North Carolina Department of Transportation
NCDOT is planning to build the $132 million Southern Loop Bypass (NC 107 Connector) from US 23-74 in Balsam to NC 107 between Sylva and Cullowhee - NCDOT project STIP R-4745 is funded and construction will begin in 2016 unless the public demands other solutions.
The Resolutions
The Resolutions, unanimously signed in 2003 by the representative leaders from all four of Jackson County's incorporated towns (Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster, Forest Hills) requested that NCDOT "remove the Southern Loop Bypass from its long-range plan" and instead develop strategies for "improving existing roads as alternatives to the Bypass". A copy of the resolution and a petitions with thousands of Jackson County citizen's signatures were turned in to NCDOT at their annual State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) meetings to stop this proposed new highway. Despite public opposition, NCDOT is moving forward with this massive new highway project.
Other important articles with background information:
2009 - Smart Roads Alliance Position: Jackson County Comprehensive Transportation Plan
2008 - Construction on 23-74/107 connector could begin in 2015
2008 - Smart Roads Files Compaint Over Southern Loop
2008 - Smart Roads Event Discusses Alternatives to Southern Loop
2007 - Leaders, citizens demand input as road plan progresses
2007 - Southern Loop Opposition Mounts
2007 - Burrell, Setzer Plug Plan for Southern Loop (ignoring public outcry and towns' wishes)
2007 - Southern Loop On Priority List, Transportation Advisory Committee Disagrees
2007 - STIP Includes Funding For Portion of Southern Loop
2003 - "Who will decide the future growth of Jackson County?"
2003 - Sylva, Dillsboro Join Official Opposition to Southern Loop (The Resolutions)
2002 - Smart Roads Alliance Formed
2001 - NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Ron Watson updates EDC on 'southern loop' status
2001 - Southern Loop Feasibility Study Approved
The original proposed new highway project would have cost over $230* million to construct ($26 million per mile) and continued to US 23-441 through Webster. The Jackson County Smart Roads Alliance was instrumental in getting the Webster portion of the bypass removed from the R-4745 plan. (* NCDOT 2001 estimate)
Other important articles with background information:
2009 - Smart Roads Alliance Position: Jackson County Comprehensive Transportation Plan
2008 - Construction on 23-74/107 connector could begin in 2015
2008 - Smart Roads Files Compaint Over Southern Loop
2008 - Smart Roads Event Discusses Alternatives to Southern Loop
2007 - Leaders, citizens demand input as road plan progresses
2007 - Southern Loop Opposition Mounts
2007 - Burrell, Setzer Plug Plan for Southern Loop (ignoring public outcry and towns' wishes)
2007 - Southern Loop On Priority List, Transportation Advisory Committee Disagrees
2007 - STIP Includes Funding For Portion of Southern Loop
2003 - "Who will decide the future growth of Jackson County?"
2003 - Sylva, Dillsboro Join Official Opposition to Southern Loop (The Resolutions)
2002 - Smart Roads Alliance Formed
2001 - NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Ron Watson updates EDC on 'southern loop' status
2001 - Southern Loop Feasibility Study Approved
The original proposed new highway project would have cost over $230* million to construct ($26 million per mile) and continued to US 23-441 through Webster. The Jackson County Smart Roads Alliance was instrumental in getting the Webster portion of the bypass removed from the R-4745 plan. (* NCDOT 2001 estimate)
Monday, October 25, 2010
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