N.C. 24 widening project gets green light

RALEIGH, NC (NEWS RELEASE) – The N.C. Department of Transportation announced today the Record of Decision (ROD) has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the N.C. 24 widening project in Cumberland, Sampson and Duplin counties. This step allows NCDOT to begin the process of buying right of way necessary to begin the project.

The ROD is prepared to present the basis for selecting the alternative route to be constructed. It must be approved by the FHWA before any right-of-way acquisition begins. The ROD includes the final design recommendations for the project and responses to public comments regarding the final environmental document.

NCDOT held public meetings in July and November of 2008 regarding the project’s design. It also has sent newsletters to citizens who have property within 1,000 feet of the project limits to keep them informed of the project’s progress.

The department proposes to widen the existing highway to four lanes divided by a median from west of Clinton Road/Maxwell Road (State Road 1006) east of Interstate 95 in Fayetteville to I-40 near Warsaw. Work also calls for widening the ramps at the N.C. 24/U.S. 421/U.S. 701 interchange in Clinton. Bypasses will be constructed around Stedman, Autryville, Roseboro, Snow Hill and Bennetsville.

The 40-mile project is broken up into six sections. Four sections – from Cumberland County to Clinton in Sampson County – are funded for right-of-way acquisition and construction in the proposed 5- and 10-Year Work Programs. Two sections – from Clinton to Warsaw – are not currently funded.

Right-of-way acquisition for Section A – 2.8 miles east of I-95 to John Nunnery Road (S.R. 1853) in Autryville – is scheduled to begin in October. A contract to construct this section is scheduled to be awarded in the fall of 2012.

A map displaying the project’s proposed location and design is available online at www.ncdot.gov/doh/preconstruct/highway/roadway/hearingmaps_by_county.