East West Connector road project environmental impact hearing, Tuesday 10/23

Roads and water drive development.  That's no secret to anyone paying attention to growth in the area over recent years.  On Tuesday evening, there will be a hearing regarding the environmental impacts of a multifaceted road project just north of Davidson in Iredell County called the East West Connector.

This project will drive the next tsunami of development in the Lake Norman area opening up thousands more acres for large scale projects over the next decade.

Projects like the Lake Davidson development proposed last year will become more likely whenever these road projects occur.  aShortChronicle posted several stories on that project.  The EWC will also support developments like the Province at Lake Norman written about back in August, and the $1 billion Silicon Shores announced in July will also be greatly enhanced by this road project.

For more on how this EWC project could open up large scale development, check out this post from the Lake Davidson series.  The eventual numbers are staggering.

Here is the notice put out by Mooresville on the project.

The Town of Mooresville (Town) proposes to construct a four lane divided highway through an area known as Silicon Shores to connect I-77 Exit 31 and Langtree Road to the NC-115/Mecklenburg Highway. The highway has been named the East West Connector (EWC).

The EWC Project will provide a safe, direct access and improve the movement of goods and people between the I-77 Exit 31 and Langtree Road to the NC-115/Mecklenburg Highway. The project will include an at grade crossing of the Norfolk Southern (NS) Railroad that will allow the Town to negotiate with NS to close up to four public crossings after completion.

The scope of this National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment (EA) includes the following:

• 4,310 linear feet of four-lane divided highway directly connecting Langtree Road with NC-115, known as “East West Connector”;
• 2,368 linear feet of three-lane divided highway, known as “RL West Connector”;
• 2,298 linear feet of three-lane divided highway, known as “Transco Connector”.
• 8,976 linear feet of water lines along the three highways that make up the EWC project;
• 8,620 linear feet of pedestrian/bicycle lanes;
• 4,310 linear feet of fiber lines; and26 Intellistreets Luminaires.

In addition to safety improvements and travel time efficiencies, the new road will support economic development of 454 acres, provide direct access to major employers Lowe’s and CORVID Technologies, and result in long term job creation. The EWC is projected to leverage new private investment estimated to be $689,854,745 in Silicon Shores over the next decade. Current, ongoing development is driving the decision to build the EWC and install supporting infrastructure.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018 – A Public Meeting will be held at Town Hall from 6-8PM. Staff and the Ferguson Group will be giving a brief presentation on the project and then have a formal public comment period. All comments will be recorded with no formal answers being given from staff or the Board that night. Board member attendance is encouraged but not required. The rest of the evening will be a “drop in” format with the public having the ability to continue to submit written comments for the rest of the meeting and during the entire 30 day comment period.

NEPA Assessment