20020672 Ver 3_Attachment 25 - 10-03-14 US 74 Bypass construction generally on schedule_20141124

US 74 Bypass construction 'generally
on schedule'
Construction on the first three sections of US 74 Bypass is generally on schedule,
officials say.
By Jackie Bridges / Senior Reporter
Published: Friday, October 3, 2014 at 04:48 PM.
Travel west on U.S. 74 and the landscape changes around Lattimore.
Plato Lee Road is closed, a new stoplight is in place at Kimbrell
Drive and a bridge can be seen going over dirt paths carved out of
the hillside.
Construction on the first three sections of the U.S. 74 Bypass around
Shelby is "generally on schedule," said Jordan-Ashley B. Walker,
NCDOT communications officer.
Sections will be completed by 2018
The first part of the project started last year. A $33 million contract
for the next two sections of bypass construction was awarded this
spring, Walker said.
Completion of the entire bypass – at a cost of an estimated almost
$300 million – is not expected until at least 2030, NCDOT officials
previously told The Star.
The first section is scheduled to be completed in 2017 and the next
two by 2018.
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Attachment 25
Since construction began a year ago, roughly 750,000 cubic yards of
dirt has been moved.
Currently on the AA section, DOT is working to pave a section of the
road from Peachtree Road to West Lee Street for an on-site detour
of U.S. 74.
"The plan is to get traffic switched over to the new section by the
end of the year so we can work on the existing road," Walker said.
On the B section a bridge is going up on Plato Lee Road, and traffic
has been detoured on NC 226 during construction.
Funding for next three sections
The final three sections are not currently funded, Walker said.
NCDOT will announce its State Transportation Improvement
Program in December. The plan schedules the projects that will
move forward across North Carolina over the next 10 years.
The projects are selected based on a scoring system to make more
efficient use of available funds, allowing for more local input and the
ability to do more projects with limited dollars.
The final three sections of the bypass were scored using the new
system, and those sections were also included on Gov. Pat McCrory's
25-year vision plan, which proposes a bond to help fund
transportation projects.
"A key element of the governor’s 25-year vision is recognition that
transportation systems can stimulate the economy by building
infrastructure to attract business and create or provide access to
jobs," said NCDOT Secretary Tony Tata, in a prepared statement.
"Accordingly, we are looking at projects that will help connect rural
areas to jobs, healthcare and education centers. A transportation
bond will help us address critical needs with our limited funds,
especially in rural areas."
Land-use plan for Washburn Interchange
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While the construction is visible to everyone, work is also going on
behind the scenes to create a land use plan for the five interchanges
on the new by-pass.
Planners from the City of Shelby and Cleveland County have met
with community representatives for about a year to create a small
area plan for the first interchange at Washburn Switch Road.
"We need a plan for what is going to be there, and we need to know
how the people see their area," said Korrie Becht with the City of
Shelby Planning and Development services.
During development of the plan, officials met with residents,
business owners, property owners and other representatives to
receive their input. An open house was held in July and more than
75 people attended.
"We took all of their ideas and put them into the plan," she said.
The public can review and comment on the plan until Oct. 20, when
it will be presented to the Shelby City Council for approval.
The plan’s goals consider transportation, utilities and community
character. The goals also reflect the actions and policies from the
Shelby Strategic Growth Plan, Shelby Comprehensive Land Use Plan
and the Cleveland County Land Use Plan.
What is a land use plan?
A land use plan differs from zoning, Becht said.
"This is not new zoning," she said. "It is saying, 'this is the land use
we want.' Zoning dictates what the land use is, but just because
something is zoned commercial, it doesn't mean a house can't sit
there. A land use plan says, 'this is what we would like to see the
areas become,' but it is really up to the developer."
People who would like to comment will have an opportunity to speak
at the meeting, but they should contact Becht beforehand.
"At the city council meeting, it will be approved, disapproved or
approved with conditions," she said. "We want to get comments from
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the public before the city council meeting."
A copy of the plan can be accessed from the City of Shelby website,
www.cityofshelby.com, or CityofShelby on Facebook.
For more information, to review or to submit comments regarding
the Washburn Switch Interchange Small Area Plan, contact Walt
Scharer or Korrie Becht with City of Shelby Planning and
Development Services at [e-mail] or 704-484-
6829.
US 74 Bypass sections
Construction currently ongoing:
AA: West of Peach Tree Road to East of Kimbrell Road
AB: East of Kimbrell Road to East of Plato Lee Road
B: East of Plato Lee Road to East of N.C. 226
Construction not yet begun:
C: East of N.C. 226 to West of N.C. 150
D: West of N.C. 150 to existing U.S. 74 west of Longbranch Road
E: Existing U.S. 74 west of Longbranch Road to west of Oak Grove
Road
U.S. 74 costs:
Total estimated cost of the project: $300 million
Spent to date on AA portion: $11,855,000, which is on track with
estimates. Total cost is $25,400,00; construction is roughly 50
percent complete
Spent to date on the AB and B portion: $3.8 million. Total cost is
$33 million. Project is 11 percent complete.
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