Last Updated on July 25, 2018 12:31 pm
WEST JEFFERSON – N.C. Department of Transportation officials will hold a public meeting this week to introduce a project proposal to improve a section of U.S. 221 (South Jefferson Avenue) between N.C. 194 and Beaver Creek School Road.
The local NCDOT division submitted the project for funding consideration through the Strategic Mobility Formula that prioritizes projects based on safety, congestion, benefit-cost and local priorities. With support from the High Country Rural Planning Organization and the Town of West Jefferson, the project received favorable scores to move forward for funding.
A superstreet design is being proposed to address safety issues and accommodate traffic concerns. A superstreet is a type of intersection that redirects side-street traffic from going straight or turning left at a divided highway intersection. Instead, side-street traffic turns right, and uses a designated U-turn location to proceed in the desired direction. It significantly reduces the chance for crashes at the intersection, and also improves traffic flow for the main roadway because of shorter wait times at the traffic light.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the West Jefferson Town Hall, 1 South Jefferson Avenue. There will not be a formal presentation so citizens can drop in at any time to meet the project team, ask questions and submit comments. People who cannot attend can send comments via mail, phone or email through August 24.
Additional information will be posted on the NCDOT public meetings webpage as it becomes available.
For information about the proposed project and to send in comments, contact NCDOT Project Manager Ramie Shaw at 336-903-9134, rashaw@ncdot.gov or 801 Statesville Road, North Wilkesboro, N.C., 28659.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Caitlyn Ridge at (919) 707-6091 or ceridge1@ncdot.gov as early as possible so arrangements can be made.
Persons who speak Spanish and have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.
