Garden Parkway
Project Description
The project purpose is based on the following:
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are studying ways to improve east-west travel between Gaston County and Mecklenburg County from I-85 west of Gastonia east to I-485/NC 160 and improve connectivity between southern Gaston County and Mecklenburg County. The enclosed map shows the project study area. The proposed project is Project Number U-3321 in the NCDOT's latest Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).- Need to improve mobility, access and connectivity within southern Gaston County and between southern Gaston County and Mecklenburg County.
- Need to improve traffic flow on the sections of I-85, US 29-74 and US 321 in the project study area; improve high-speed, safe regional travel service along the US 29-74 intrastate corridor; and generally improve safety and reduce above average accident rates in the study area.
Studies in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) began in 2001. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 requires federal agencies to prepare detailed reports for major projects, programs, or actions that involve funding, permitting, or other involvement by a Federal agency.
An environmental impact statement (EIS) is a detailed report that describes the proposed project's purpose and need, alternatives, and impacts on the human and natural environment. Several alternatives are typically evaluated. The analyses are performed by a team of engineers, planners, scientists, and biologists.
The first series of Citizens Informational Workshops (CIWs) for this proposed project took place in September 2003 and December 2003. A total of three workshops were held, one on September 30th and two in December (9th and 10th). These workshops were held to discuss potential alternatives for the proposed project. After the workshops, the Project Study Team considered public and agency input as well as environmental and manmade features in developing preliminary alternatives. Each alternative was evaluated and screened based on its ability to achieve the project's purpose and need and potential impacts on the human and natural environments.
In February 2005, the project was identified as a candidate toll road by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.
The second series of CIWs took place in January and February 2006. A total of three workshops were held, one on January 31st and two in February (1st and 2nd). These workshops were held to present the detailed study alternatives in the next phase of the study process. After the workshops, the Project Study Team considers public and agency input and begins detailed engineering designs and human and natural environment studies which will be summarized in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, or DEIS. As part of the study process, the DEIS will summarize the process steps through the detailed study alternatives.
Page updated 6/2/2008