Garner – A proposal to upgrade the U.S.
70/N.C. 50 intersection with Hammond Road/Timber Drive in northwest Garner will
be the subject of a N.C. Department of Transportation public meeting on Tuesday,
March 27.
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), which
works with the NCDOT on the development of transportation projects in the
Raleigh-Durham area, has proposed changes to the intersection to go with
widening U.S.70/N.C. 50 to a six-lane highway between U.S. 401 and I-40.
Planners are considering an interchange conversion or a
reconfiguration of the existing intersection. Maps of the proposals are
available at the NCDOT public meetings web page.
With continual increases in traffic volume through the area, the
changes are proposed to help relieve future congestion at the intersection and
to improve traffic flow. NCDOT traffic count numbers show 33,900-37,000 vehicles
a day already travel through that corridor, with another 20,000-23,000 vehicles
using Timber Drive, with the numbers on both roads expected to increase in the
coming years. The project schedule calls for construction to start in the winter
of 2020.
With NCDOT considering more than one option, the department needs
input from area residents to help finalize its decision on how to proceed. The
meeting to learn more about the proposals, talk to project staff and leave
comments will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Capital Church, 1308
U.S. 70 West in Garner. No formal presentation will be made so interested
residents can stop by anytime during the meeting.
Anyone desiring additional information or who can’t attend the
meeting but still wants to comment on the proposals should contact NCDOT Senior
Project Engineer Zahid Baloch, P.E. at zbaloch@ncdot.gov, 1548 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699, or
(919) 707-6012. Comments made by April 27 will be considered as the department
makes its decision on the project options.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans
with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this
meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tamara Makhlouf at tmakhlouf@ncdot.gov or (919)
707-6072 as early as possible.
Persons who speak Spanish and have a who limited ability to read,
speak or understand English may receive interpretive services upon request prior
to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.
Contact: Steve Abbott
swabbott@ncdot.gov
(919) 707-2660