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:

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Spread the word!

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)

LATEST NEWS

Most recent news listed at top. Scroll down to see additional news items.
Visit our Community News Archive or Search Blog to view older articles (since 2007).
You may post or read comments for any news item.

For older news articles (2000 - 2007) click here.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Town of Sylva Transportation Planning Meeting - Thursday, March 10 at 9am

Press Release from Town of Sylva:

"Special Meeting:

The Town of Sylva Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on March 10th at 9:00 a.m. in the Board Room of Municipal Hall, 83 Allen Street. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Comprehensive Transportation Plan."

This meeting will cover transportation planning for the Town of Sylva and includes concerns about NC 107 and the Sylva Bypass (aka Southern Loop Bypass, aka NC 107 Connector).

THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MEETING!

RSVP with Facebook

Sunday, March 6, 2011

County Commissioners to Choose Transportation Priorities at March Meetings

Hi all,
Smart Roads wants to have a big presence at the two March commissioners' meetings because the county commissioners have to choose priorities for DOT projects by April and the bypass/connector is one of their potential choices. The first meeting is Monday, March 7 at 2 pm at the Justice Center; the second is Monday, March 21 at 6 PM. Please come out and make your concerns known during the public comment session.
See you Monday!
Lydia and Jeannette


County commissioner meetings are held upstairs in the Jackson County Justice & Administration Annex building, above the Sheriff's offices (entrance is towards the left of the main Justice Center/court rooms building. We'd love to see as many folks out as possible at the March 7 (2pm) and March 21 (6pm) meetings, please help spread the word.

Please contact our local representatives.

Contact and meeting information.

www.smartroads.org

Commissioners Meetings:


First Monday (March 7) -- 2:00 p.m.


Third Monday (March 21) -- 6:00 p.m.



Walter J. Debnam “Jack”, Chairman Countywide (exp. 2014)

50 Mudpuppy Ln

Sylva, NC 28779

828-586-3442 (o)
E-mail: jackdebnam@jacksonnc.org


Charles R. Elders, Commissioner--District 1 (exp. 2014)

4668 US 74 W (r)

Whittier, NC 28789

PO Box 2099

Sylva NC 28779

828-631-9270 (o)


Joe Cowan, Commissioner--District 3 (exp. 2012)

PO Box 265

Webster NC 28788

828-586-3718 (h)
E-mail: joecowan@jacksonnc.org



Douglas L. Cody “Doug) Commissioner--District 2 (exp. 2014)

75 Onion Patch Lane

PO Box 204

Sylva NC 28779

828-586-5885
E-mail: dougcody@jacksonnc.org



Mark R. Jones, Commissioner--District 4 (exp. 2012)

PO Box 2164

Cashiers NC 28717

828-743-9553 (h)
E-mail: markjones@jacksonnc.org



Evelyn Baker

Clerk to Board

401 Grindstaff Cove Road, Suite A-207

Sylva NC 28779

828-631-2213
E-mail: evelynbaker@jacksonnc.org



J.K. Coward, “Jay”

Attorney for Jackson County

705 West Main Street

Sylva NC 28779

828-586-2147 (o)
E-mail: jkcoward@chspa.com
"We are for the preservation of our communities.
We are not against growth and development,
nor a reasonable expansion of existing roads.
"

- Lydia Aydlett, Smart Roads Alliance

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."


- Margaret Mead