Sandhills transportation planners have revised the list of roadway projects proposed for inclusion in the region’s next Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
The Sandhills Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Technical Coordinating Committee unanimously approved a modified alternative during its October 7 meeting. The plan must receive final adoption in December.
Projects Added and Removed
The revised proposal removes a previously suggested interchange at U.S. 15-501 and Morganton Road.
Projects added to the alternative include work involving Airport Road and McCrimmon Road, modernization of N.C. 22 between Pee Dee Road and Aviation Drive, continued modernization of N.C. 22 between Pee Dee Road and N.C. 2, and improvements at the intersection of N.C. 2 and Pee Dee Road.
Planners said the revised list is intended to address major regional transportation needs while recognizing that construction schedules and funding priorities may change.
Funding Remains a Challenge
The organization received four projects through the regional-impact portion of North Carolina’s transportation prioritization process. Prospects are less certain for projects competing for funding within NCDOT’s Division 8.
Committee members were told that the division’s funding deficit has grown from approximately $21 million to $48 million. The Sandhills organization has 1,200 prioritization points available and is considering concentrating those points on its highest-scoring projects.
The proposed Carthage Bypass is reportedly scoring competitively among Division 8 projects.
Public Comment Expected in November
The draft Metropolitan Transportation Plan is expected to be released for public review in early November. Residents will have approximately 14 days to submit comments before the plan moves toward final adoption in December.
Source: Read the complete report from Sandhills Sentinel.
