Question: When the DOT determined what railroad crossings would close permanently, did they take into consideration that the Mount Hope Church Road was, I believe, the only main road from Salisbury to China Grove that did not have access to I-85?

Becky Hill

Answer:  Department of Transportation representatives say the choice to close any roads were based on based on road network connectivity and traffic.

The recent railroad crossings have resulted in increased travel times and some business closings. Mount Hope Church Road is a road that’s been closed permanently. The closures are a part of the Piedmont Improvement Program, which aims to add to the number of total rail trips between Raleigh and Charlotte and minimize the number of at-grade crossings for safety.

When DOT representatives were asked the questions, they responded by saying: “In the project development and public involvement phase, each crossing was evaluated based on road network connectivity and traffic. In this case, Webb Road and the US 29 bridge are both in proximity to Mount Hope Church Road and provide additional east-west connectivity and connection to I-85.”

The project cost for Salisbury to Kannapolis improvements is estimated at $51.2 million. Construction on projects initially started in 2014.

The DOTs website states the following roads in Rowan County will be upgraded as a part of the Piedmont Improvement Program:

• Webb Road in Salisbury
• E. Church Street in China Grove
• E. Centerview Street in China Grove
• E. Ryder Avenue in Landis
• E. 22nd Street in Kannapolis
• E. 18th Street in Kannapolis

Klumac Road in Salisbury is planned to be rerouted, with the road going under the railroad tracks.

Roads that will be permanently closed include

• Mount Hope Church Road in China Grove
• E. Thom Street in China Grove
• Eudy Road in China Grove
• N. Central Avenue in Landis
• E. Mill Street in Landis
• E. 29th Street in Kannapolis

The proposed completion date for the entirely of the Piedmont Improvement Program in Rowan is Spring 2017.

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