ROCKY MOUNT – A set of proposed transportation projects that would make it easier to travel between Nashville and Rocky Mount will be the subject of a public meeting in mid-December.
Overall, the projects include widening stretches of Eastern Avenue, Sunset Avenue and North Old Carriage Road and converting the Sunset Avenue bridge over Interstate 95 into a new interchange.
The proposals rose through the State Transportation Improvement Program and received funding with planning input from the Rocky Mount Metropolitan Planning Organization, Nash County and the town of Nashville. The agencies and local governments recognize the need to improve the road network. The projects would improve traffic safety, reduce congestion and boost mobility to I-95.
NCDOT needs public feedback on the preliminary ideas before advertising for bids next year to complete the designs and construct the projects, which have a combined estimated $128 million cost.
People may see the preliminary designs, ask questions and submit comments during an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, at Brown Auditorium on the Nash Community College campus at 522 N. Old Carriage Road in Rocky Mount.
The proposed projects include:
- Widening Eastern Avenue between Red Oak and North Old Carriage roads into a four-lane road with a raised median. As part of the project, roundabouts would be constructed at three intersections along Eastern Avenue. Roundabouts improve safety because drivers must slow down when using them, and the structures improve traffic flow.
- Widening North Old Carriage Road between Eastern Avenue and Green Hills Road; a portion of the route would become four lanes with a median, and the rest would be widened to three lanes to create an open-center turn lane to reduce congestion and the risk of rear-end collisions.
- Creating a new highway exit on I-95 at Sunset Avenue. The avenue now has a bridge over the interstate, but motorists cannot enter or exit the highway at this location. As part of the new interchange, Sunset Avenue would be widened to four lanes with a raised median between Halifax Road and North Old Carriage Road.
- Replacing the North Old Carriage Loop Road interchange with U.S. 64. The new interchange will get a longer, taller bridge that also is wide enough to accommodate the additional lanes proposed for North Old Carriage Loop Road.
People can view the preliminary design maps on this NCDOT website. For more information or to send comments, contact Rachel Evans, an NCDOT Division 4 project manager, via 252-640-6434; rcevans@ncdot.gov; or at P.O. Box 3165, Wilson, N.C., 27895.
The department will accept comments through Jan. 14.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Samantha Borges at smborges@ncdot.gov as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.
People who do not speak English, or 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.