By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLIS ó City officials gave the go-ahead Monday night for changes aimed at improving safety and reducing traffic congestion at the Rogers Lake Road rail crossing.
Kannapolis’ cost will be roughly $300,000 of the $1.3 million project, endorsed by the state Rail Division of the N.C. Department of Transportation.
The improvements will add turn lanes, lessen a steep grade and try to ease “storage” or backup problems on South Ridge Avenue and South Main Street.
Traffic backups often leave cars sitting on the railroad tracks waiting for the light to change.
New flashers and gates and a reconfiguration of traffic signals at the intersections also are planned.
The project actually is considered a short-term solution.
Long-range, the N.C. Department of Transportation has recommended a bridge over the Rogers Lake Road crossing. But city officials learned last week those funds are not available now.
Public Works Director Wilmer Melton told city council it’s “one of the most dangerous crossings in Kannapolis,” and something short-term had to be done as soon as possible.
Construction could start on the project this fall and take six to eight months, Melton said.
Part of the project will include a 3-foot grade improvement from South Main Street.
It’s not known how often or for how long the busy road will have to be closed.
Mayor Pro Tem Randy Cauthen suggested incentives be considered to speed the project along, making the construction period four to six months, rather than six to eight.
Councilman Darrell Hinnant asked whether construction could start in the summer instead of fall.
Mayor Bob Misenheimer said the city will have to do a good job of keeping merchants and property owners in the area updated on the construction project.
Melton said he could schedule community meetings for property owners so they know what’s happening.
To lessen the anticipated inconveniences, maybe the DOT contractor could work on the project at night, Melton suggested.
“I think we ought to explore all those avenues,” Misenheimer said.
The project will be bid and managed by the Division 10 office of the DOT.
Darlene Perkins, a landowner in the area, said she and others still feel as though they are in limbo.
While the improvements approved Monday night are short-term, when will the long-term solution ó the bridge ó be built?
How many years do property owners, who will be more adversely affected by a bridge, have before that project begins? Perkins asked.
“We’re totally confused,” she said.
The owner of Fisherman’s Friend on South Ridge Avenue expressed concerns about ingress and egress out of his business and how changes in the slope will affect water runoff toward his property.
But of the improvements proposed overall, he said, “we have to do this.”
Council approved the municipal agreement with the DOT by a 6-0 vote.