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Workshop on Toll Road at West Boulevard is February 1 at Olympic High (January 20, 2006) One of three citizens information workshops on the proposed toll road that would run around the south side of Gastonia, connecting with I-485 at the future interchange for the extension of West Boulevard, will be held at Olympic High School on February 1. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority and the North Carolina Department of Transportation propose to improve east-west travel through Gaston County by constructing the new roadway between I-85 west of Gastonia and I-485 at NC 160 in Mecklenburg County. This workshop series will present maps and information on the alternatives to be studied in detail in the next phase of planning and design. The I-485 interchange near West Boulevard has been built but is not open because West Boulevard has not yet been extended to the interchange. Numerous road changes in this area are already planned, due primarily to road relocation because of airport expansion. Many changes are part of the Dixie-Berryhill Thoroughfare Plan adopted in 2002. See these previous stories.
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is authorized to study, develop, and construct up to nine toll roads in the state. The Gaston East-West Connector, also known as the Garden Parkway, is one of the projects under consideration for development as a toll road. Workshops will be held as follows:
Participants are encouraged to drop in at any time between 4:30 and 8:00 for any of the workshops. All three workshops will present the same information and displays. (The North Carolina Turnpike Authority will provide auxiliary aids and services for disabled persons who wish to participate in the workshops. For more information or to receive special services, please call 1-800-475-6402.) For more information, visit www.ncdot.org/projects/gastonconnector. |
