The N.C. Department of Transportation held a public meeting on Feb. 6, 2017 at Nash Community College to gather feedback, hear concerns, and answer questions related to the proposed improvements. Community outreach continued after the initial public meeting with several small group and individual meetings that have continued to present day.
During the design-development phase, the project team reviewed all feedback from the 2017 public meeting and community outreach efforts. The project team proposed adding roundabouts at major intersections throughout the project to align with the goals of connectivity and improved mobility of Eastern Avenue, Sunset Avenue and North Old Carriage Road. This design change prompted the department to host a second public meeting on Dec. 13, 2018 at Nash Community College.
In 2019, NCDOT approved the State Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact for the Eastern Avenue and North Old Carriage Road improvements and the Type III Categorical Exclusion for the Sunset Avenue widening and interchange project. These documents help clear the way for the projects to proceed and clarifies that proposed improvements will not have a significant impact on the human or natural environment.
NCDOT awarded the Design-Build Contract​ in October 2019.