Board eyeing other I-795 routes
By Steve Herring
Published in News on September 22, 2014 1:46 PM
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Alternate 1 for Interstate 795
The planned continuation of Interstate 795 from Ash Street in Goldsboro to I-40 in Sampson County could follow the existing U.S. 117 South corridor.
Or, if Wayne County commissioners have their way, the route would swing just west of the existing road and then back to the east before tying into the existing highway near Arrington Bridge Road.
The commissioners' preferred path is actually a blend of two of the four alternate routes identified in a feasibility study done by the state Department of Transportation.
Currently, I-795 runs between Wilson and U.S. 70 in Goldsboro. But even before the route of the southern extension of the highway is settled, it is important to have the corridor designated as a future interstate, Commissioner Joe Daughtery said.
"Once that is done, we have 25 years for funding and doing the improvements," said Daughtery, chairman of the county Transportation Committee. "It allows us more leverage as to getting funding."
Daughtery said he has been encouraged by news that a separate bill would be introduced in Congress seeking the Interstate shield for the highway.
U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield and Sen. Kay Hagan introduced a bill before Congress recessed seeking the interstate designation for U.S. 64 and 17. Rather than add I-795 as an amendment, the decision was made to make it a separate bill, Daughtery said.
Two studies are currently under way -- one looking at the economic impact an I-795 would have on the county and the other assessing the feasibility of building the road.
According to the financial analysis, the highway upgrade would result in $74 million in business cost savings for existing users, which would in turn create a $520 million bump in the gross regional product and another $568 million in travel savings for residents and visitors.
The second study, and its suggested routes, were discussed by commissioners at their meeting last week. The draft feasibility study is expected by November, with the final draft ready by February.
Alternate No. 1 would improve the existing road from N.C. 581/Ash Street to I-40 in Sampson County.
Alternate No. 2 would be built west of the existing road through the Busco Beach area with interchanges at Ash Street and U.S. 117, and an interchange/connector to join Arrington Bridge Road. There would be an interchange as well at U.S. 13 before tying back into the existing road at O'Berry Road.
Alternate No. 3 would follow the existing road from N.C. 581/Ash Street to just south of the Neuse River, where a new section of road would turn west behind the Food Lion grocery store. It would connect back into U.S. 117 at O'Berry Road. There would be an interchange at Arrington Bridge Road with an interchange/connector link at U.S. 13 with U.S. 117 and U.S. 117 Alt.
Alternate No. 4 would follow the existing road from N.C. 581/Ash Street to near Arrington Bridge Road and then follow a new section east of existing U.S. 117 to Dudley. There would be interchanges at Arrington Bridge Road, Genoa Road and O'Berry Road.
All of the alternatives would follow the existing route from Dudley south to I-40.
Commissioners favor Alternates No. 1 and No. 4, saying they would be less intrusive on existing businesses along the route. Those routes would require service roads.
They suggested that Alternates 2 and 3 be eliminated from consideration.
"I am really for improving the existing road," Daughtery said. "We already have right of way."
Building service roads is cheaper than building interstates, he noted.
Preliminary approximate cost estimates are $260 million for Alternate No. 1, $310 million each for Alternates No. 2 and No. 4 and $280 million for Alternate No. 3.
However, County Manager George Wood told commissioners he believes the cost is understated because the study does not clearly define service roads and other associated costs.
Wood said that comments were being sought by the state about the preliminary study results. They can be general or on specific sections of the road. Commissioners said they thought it would be best to be specific in hope of having more of a voice in the process.
Wood said his staff agrees that Alternate No. 4 appears to be the best route, but that it would require service roads including access to Waynesborough Park and the businesses on the west side of the road. Some of businesses would be accessed by a service road in front; whole others would possibly be from the rear.
The county is trying to reduce impact on existing businesses, he said.
Some business thrive on traffic from the highway, while some are service businesses that can be anywhere and don't depend on the traffic, Daughtery said.
There are still some gaps in planning service roads, County Planner Connie Price said.
"My take on that is I can see the benefit of No. 4, but we would like to try and keep that traffic going through there as close to the retail centers as possible," Price said.
Commissioners said they did not want the road so far out that traffic would bypass businesses.
"I think what we would emphasize what we like about Alternate No. 4 is that south of Arrington Bridge Road it has the least intrusive footprint, if you will," Wood said. "Whereas Alternate No. 1 seems to have a better situation on the overall upper part."
However, Daughtery said he thinks there would be less resistance if the existing U.S. 117 was upgraded.