Email
Print
Residents speak out against road improvement project
photo by James Nix
Brent Barbee, on his farm where a proposed Pitts School Road realignment would cut through.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 4, 2009
CONCORD - The impact of the $230 million widening of Interstate 85 from four to eight lanes between Concord Mills Boulevard and N.C. 73 reaches beyond the congestion on the interstate, with major changes to Pitt School Road, Poplar Tent Road and N.C. 73.
More than 150 people attended a N.C. Department of Transportation public hearing on the proposed widening project Thursday at Northwest Cabarrus High School to voice their concerns.
The state plans to move Pitt School Road to accommodate the increased traffic at the new Exit 52, or Poplar Tent interchange. The proposed plan bisects Barbee Farms, a local farm that has been in operation for six generations.
Plans also involve widening Poplar Tent Road to a four-lane divided roadway from just west of Gable Oaks Drive east to Derita Road, which will be widened in a separate project. The divided highway will have limited access, resembling Harris Boulevard as it passes through University City.
The change likely will force the closing the Texaco gas station for right-of-way and will restrict access along Poplar Tent, affecting the 258-year-old Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church.
N.C. 73 also will be widened to a four-lane divided highway from Branson Road to Stanley Drive, affecting businesses on International Drive and residential access to Rustic Lane.
The project also includes reconstruction of the interchanges at Poplar Tent Road and N.C. 73, creating signalized ramp exits similar to those at the George W. Liles Parkway exit off I-85.
Many of those who attended Thursday's public hearing came to voice their opposition to the proposed realignment of Pitt School Road, which is necessary to improve traffic flow near the Poplar Tent exit, Exit 52, on I-85, according to state traffic engineers.
The proposed realignment would cut through Barbee Farms, a Century-designated farm that is one of the few remaining profitable farms in Cabarrus County. The state has a second plan that would not bisect the farm, which many said they prefer.
"The proposed alignment of Pitt School Road would divide our farm," said Tommy Barbee, owner and operator of Barbee Farms.
"That proposed route would also destroy a home my grandfather built and lived in his whole life," Barbee said.
To continue farming the land, the Barbees and their employees would have to cross the road as many as 40 times per day. Most of the crossings would occur at sunrise and sunset, creating a safety issue, he said.
"Certainly there are other alignments that would be less destructive," Barbee said.
Several others spoke in support of the Barbees.
The new alignment also cuts off access to R&R Barbecue, which is located near the intersection of Pitt School Road and Poplar Tent Road.
Owner Bob Critz spoke Thursday in favor of the state's alternate plan for Pitt School Road. It's curvier than the one that bisects Barbee Farms, but avoids the farm and maintains better access and visibility for Critz's restaurant.
"The decision the DOT makes will affect over 50 employees," Critz said.
"Even a good product can't overcome ease of access," he said.
The new Pitt School Road alignment also could negatively affect the Bonds family farm, said Tony Bonds.
"The original plan would cross one of out best produce fields," Bonds said during the public hearing.
Bonds also serves as chair of the Property Committee for Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church, which opposes the changes to Poplar Tent Road.
Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church was established in 1751 and predates Poplar Tent Road. The church also has a historic cemetery that will not be disturbed by the widening, transportation officials said.
But plans to widen Poplar Tent would affect access to the church and will force motorists to turn right onto Poplar Tent Road as they exit the church.
"We have six driveways going into our church property," Bonds said. "We use five of them every day."
Bonds said the church congregation wants the state to consider a five-lane road instead of a divided highway.
Rev. Jay Smith, Poplar Tent Presbyterian's pastor, also spoke at the hearing.
"We are not a small country church that meets once a week," Smith said.
Smith said more than 200 Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops meet at the church weekly and the church has events at least four days a week that generate traffic on Poplar Tent.
State transportation officials said they would consider the comments when they decide on the final plan for the project.
The state plans to start acquiring right of way in April 2010 and to start construction in December 2011. The project is expected to take three years to complete.
The state Department of Transportation will continue to accept comments on the project through Oct. 15.
To submit a comment via e-mail, send it to Jamille Robbins at jarobbins@ncdot.gov and type "TIP Project No. I-3803B comments" in the subject line. Comments also can be mailed to: Mr. Jamille A. Robbins, NCDOT - Human Environment Unit, 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598.
• Contact reporter Karen Cimino Wilson: 704-789-9141.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Click a region for news specific to that area.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
Advertisement
