Budget puts Greensboro out of loop
GREENSBORO -- Money to build the northern sections of the Urban Loop will not be included in the state's updated road construction plan, potentially leaving a large gap in the road for years across north Greensboro.
Because of a budget crunch, the N.C. Department of Transportation's 2006-2012 draft work schedule delays construction of the last three sections of the loop until after 2012.
Construction was scheduled to begin on the segment from Lawndale Drive to Bryan Boulevard in 2008; from U.S. 70 to U.S. 29 in 2009; and from U.S. 29 to Lawndale Drive in 2010. Those portions would cost a combined $349 million to build.
Local officials had hoped to persuade the state to include funding for the loop before the work schedule is approved July 7 by the N.C. Board of Transportation. But now they say that will not happen. In addition to limited funding, environmental permits have not been completed, said Doug Galyon, chairman of the board and a Greensboro resident.
Mike Mills, lead engineer for N.C. DOT in Greensboro, said environmental regulations have been tightened since the path of the loop was first reviewed several years ago and the permits are being reviewed again. The permits should be approved by September, he said.
But even if the permits were in place, Mills said it's doubtful Greensboro would receive money for its loop.
"There's not enough funding going around," he said.
The Urban Loop, also known as Painter Boulevard, is a circular bypass of about 40 miles being built around Greensboro, one section at a time. The loop has already been constructed from U.S. 70 to Interstate 85 south of the city. The sections from I-85 south of the city to Bryan Boulevard are under construction and expected to open in 2007.
By postponing construction of the remainder of the loop until at least 2012, there will be a large gap in north Greensboro.
Given the growth of the region, getting the Urban Loop completed is crucial for economic development, said Sandy Carmany, a Greensboro City Council member who serves on several transportation boards in the region.
The city is pushing development toward the east, and a delay in the road could affect growth, she said.
"It's always going to be a missing link we had counted on," she said.
The sections that open in 2007 will alleviate some traffic, particularly in the congested area of Business 85 called Death Valley, Mills said. But not building the northern sections will force traffic onto roads such as U.S. 29, he said.
And it may affect truck traffic going to and from the FedEx hub expected to open in 2009 at Piedmont Triad International Airport.
Galyon said the permits would be completed early enough for the loop to be included when the road construction plan is updated. The state plans to have a draft of the next plan in late November.
It's possible then that the state could speed up funding for the loop and begin construction before 2012, Galyon said.
Carmany and Mills are not entirely confident the loop will make it in.
"Who knows?" Carmany said. "There's no guarantee."
But Mills said if other loop roads being built around the state hit snags, that could free up money for Greensboro. The city benefited in the late 1990s when other projects were delayed, he said.
And by continuing with planning and environmental work, Greensboro would be ready to move.
The state has estimated an additional $1.2 billion is needed to avoid delays in urban loop projects throughout the state, about double what is budgeted.
Carmany said Greensboro was hurt because the state wanted to spend money on new loop roads in Fayetteville and Wilmington.
"To me, you finish what you started before you start somewhere else," she said.
The lack of funding for loops has been compounded by a budgeting shortfall at N.C. DOT. The department had to slash its budget for road contracts this year because a surplus was spent sooner than expected and because of rising construction costs.
Contact Amy Dominello at 883-4422, Ext. 248, or adominello@news-record.com