NCDOT Proposed Improvements to NC 87
 
Improvement of 30 miles from the Elizabethtown bypass to US 74-76 east of Riegelwood is 10 years away, but serious planning is underway.
 
Monday, DOT officials held an informational meeting at Acme Delco Elementary School. 
 
Two previous meetings were held in early 2012.  At that time citizens were shown 2 alternatives for the proposed 4 lane road that will improve mobility and reduce travel time between Elizabethtown and US 74-76.
 
A total of 329 people attended those hearings and many provided input on the project.  The majority of comments expressed concern on two segments of the project: NC 87 in the vicinity of East Arcadia Elementary School and NC 87 through Riegelwood.
 
NCDOT returned Monday with a third alternative.  A buffer in the area of the East Arcadia School and a by-pass on the north side of the current location in Riegelwood, between the paper plant and the stoplight on NC 87.
 
Citizens were invited to the meeting for input.  If the feedback is positive, NCDOT will investigate the possibility of the new proposed option.
 
One spokesman for DOT emphasized they were attempting to minimize the impact in Riegelwood.  According to information provided, "It (Riegelwood by-pass) avoids direct impacts to the home, businesses, and historic properties along the existing roadway.  It also eliminates the need to reconfigure the local streets and access points along NC though Riegelwood.
 
The new alternative is not a slamdunk.  The concept has many constraints that will require detailed evaluation to determine its feasibility.  These constraints include the rail yard serving the paper plant, crossing of Old NC 87 and the CSX rail line, and bridges associated with tributaries and floodplains of Livingston Creek.  If carried forward as a detailed study alternative, these constraints will be addressed through field surveys, analysis, preliminary design, and cost estimates.
 
The estimates of cost for the first two alternatives are about the same, both in the range of $225,000,000. 
 
Construction is projected to begin on the eastern part of the project in 2018 with other portions projected to begin in 2020 and 2023.
 
So what happens next?  If it is determined that the Riegelwood Bypass should be studied in detail, field surveys will be conducted to collect environmental information within the expanded study area.  Preliminary roadway design will be prepared for the bypass.  A Supplemental State Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared to document the addition of this study alternative.
 
As the study progresses, the design will be refined and efforts will be made to further reduce environmental impacts.  Another public hearing will be held to present the results of the additional alternatives analysis.
 
You can forward comments for consideration.
 
Mail to;
Ms. Kim Gillespie
NC Department of Transportation --PDEA
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1548
Email: klgillespie@ncdot.gov.