CHINA GROVE — A public hearing Tuesday on a planned realignment of N.C. 152 drew an overwhelmingly favorable response.
The favored route will extend N.C. 152 straight across North Main Street taking out one business, Whitley’s Auto Sales, and one home.
Almost 10 years in the discussion phase, state and municipal officials looked at nearly a dozen different plans during the past few years. The final plan emerged following a workshop-hearing nearly a year ago where four plans were reviewed.
“It’s the one preferred by the public. It’s the least disruptive, and it’s the least expensive,” said Michael J. Shumsky, with the rail division of the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Shumsky and several other state highway officials were on hand at First United Methodist Church Tuesday evening to answer questions and explain the design.
The 310-mile project is expected to cost $700,000, much less than initially figured.
State officials said the money is in hand for the project. A big chunk, $500,000, will come from federal monies set aside to improve rail safety.
Once the project clears final paper hurdles in Raleigh, the state will begin buying right of way, probably early next year.
Although 18 months is normally set aside for buying right of way, Project Manager Marc Hamel said the project could accelerate if the process goes faster.
Under the current schedule, construction is set to begin in 2003, with completion in 2004.
The existing leg of N.C. 152 on the east side of North Main Street would be shut off, providing access for Tuscarora Yarns.
The design calls for widening of the existing highway on the west side to provide more room for turns by larger vehicles. The design does not include turn lanes.
The town has agreed to handle moving town utility lines.
The state agreed to do the realignment as part of a deal to improve safety along the rail corridor.
State and federal officials view the closing of crossings as a vital part of reducing accidents.
Once the project is complete, the town will allow the closing of the rail crossings at Liberty and Chapel streets.
Two crossings have already been closed, East Ketchie Street in 1996 and Elm Street-Bostian Street in 1999.
Shumsky reiterated the efforts to improve safety along the rail corridor and the ongoing projects in Landis and Kannapolis.
State crews completed work Tuesday on revamping the Ryder Street crossing in Landis.
Shumsky also pointed to an ongoing effort to design a new overpass on the southern edge of Landis where it meets Kannapolis.
After looking at several potential routes, Shumsky said the favored route is a crossing at Airport Road that will cut through the edge of the Landis Business Park, linking Main and Chapel streets and U.S. 29.
Shumsky said he and others have had several meetings with Landis Mayor Fred Steen and Kannapolis officials to discuss the route.
Another crossing is at the top of the list of many China Grove residents.
Mayor Joseph Sloop, who attended the N.C. 152 session, said he’d like to see the state focus on a Kimball Road crossing, a project that would benefit Landis and China Grove, he said.
Under the proposal, Kimball Road would extend to Interstate 85 and connect at a proposed Beatty Ford Road interchange.
Contact Jessie Burchette at jburchette@salisburypost.com or call 704-797-4254.
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