CHARLOTTE -This
week the N.C. Department of Transportation
completed an evaluation of activities and findings by an outside contractor
engaged to review ballots in support of or against proposed noise walls on
I-277 near the Fourth Ward neighborhood in uptown Charlotte. NCDOT requested
contractor Atkins conduct an independent analysis of the recent balloting to
ensure all eligible property owners were provided the opportunity to vote on
this issue.
As part of the efforts to review the ballot process, Atkins
contacted management companies, homeowners' associations and individual
property owners to verify accuracy of ownership records. Other efforts included
physically visiting properties and leaving relevant information on how to
communicate with NCDOT regarding noise wall preferences. In some cases,
property owners and tenants were distributed new ballots and instructions on
response alternatives.
These supplemental efforts have now been concluded, and
NCDOT and Atkins are satisfied an accurate ballot process has been conducted. Based
on this balloting, NCDOT is no longer considering noise walls on either side of I-277 southeast of North Pine Street as part
of the project to add managed
lanes on I-77 from the Brookshire Freeway (Exit 11) to N.C. 150 (Exit 36)
in Iredell County.
NCDOT anticipates
signing an agreement with apparent winning bidder Cintra
Infraestructures, S.A. in June, with construction beginning as early as
this December. The project is expected to be complete in 2018.