Update given on two road projects

U.S. 21 and the Sparta Parkway remain basically on schedule under the latest version of the Transportation Improvement Plan that was recently released by the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The Draft TIP was officially completed in June 2008 and will cover the years 2009-2015. The TIP is updated every two years. Under the plan for Alleghany, the widening of U.S. 21 from Sparta to Roaring Gap and the completion of the Sparta Western Loop (U.S. 21 bypass) from Grandview Drive to U.S. 21 on the south side of town are listed as being in the planning stages. The roads are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 by the county for importance, and have the same ranking in reverse order for the Town of Sparta.

As for the Loop road, which will basically complete the U.S. 21 bypass around Sparta's downtown area when completed, right of way acquisition was scheduled for 2011 but is now scheduled for 2012. However, construction remains planned to begin in 2014.

Division 11 Construction Engineer Trent Beaver said if the state runs into environmental or right-of-way issues, that schedule would be subject to change.

"We're still in the process of determining the exact route," Beaver said. "We're going through the planning process right now and looking at the environmental assessment for the project. That document is supposed to be complete in early 2009." After the completion of the assessment, the alternatives will be presented to local residents at a public hearing.

 

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