DOT seeks
input on
road plan

By JEFFERSON WEAVER

Department of Transportation officials are trying to spread the word about the county’s comprehensive transportation plan.

The last of three local informational meetings will be held this evening (Thursday) in Tabor City from 5-7 p.m.

Tyler Bray said the meetings have been sparsely attended thus far, but “informative.”

“We’re getting some good feedback,” he said.

DOT officials worked with Columbus County and the Cape Fear Rural Planning organization to create the plan. It is designed to anticipate highway needs and hopes for the next three decades.

“We’re trying to plan ahead,” said Bray, a DOT engineer .

A matter of concern to most residents is the proposed I-20 expansion and the construction of I-74. Both highways could funnel thousands of tourists through the area and spur economic growth.

The DOT planners recommended both interstate highway projects, as well as the continued four-lane expansion of N.C. 87 and N.C. 130, and further improvements on U.S. 701 and U.S. 76.

The preliminary plan takes the new Interstate 20 from the South Carolina line to the intersection with U.S. 76 at Chadbourn. Interstate 74 would pass through the county to connect with U.S. 17 in Brunswick County. Officials noted that U.S. 74 was built to rural interstate standards to facilitate conversion.

“We need more input,” Bray said. “The comments and concerns we’ve heard thus far have been very informative, but we want to gather as much information as possible.”

Bray said those attending the meetings have “expressed no overarching concerns,” but have offered input on the proposed routes, and what road maps of 30 years from now may look like.

“We’ve heard some good ideas,” he said. “We know what the priorities are, and now we can begin looking for funding.”

The plan is based on an ideal scenario,” Bray said.

“We work on the concept of what you would like to have if the funding was unlimited,” he said, “and we consider the deficiencies likely to happen in the next 30 years. Then we set priorities.”

The final meeting has no set agenda, and will be held from 5-7 p.m. today at the Tabor City Visitors Center. Residents can examine large-scale maps and discuss the plan with Bray and other DOT officials.

Visitors may examine maps, ask questions and offer comments on the proposal, Bray said.

“We want to make sure everyone has the chance to provide input,” he said. “None of this is set in stone, but much of it could happen in the years to come.”