It’s called the “Western Connector,” or, sometimes, the “Western Bypass;” but, no matter the name, what is most consistent about this proposed roadway is the controversy surrounding it.
On Wednesday, September 21, twenty-five members of the Moore County Transportation Committee [MCTC] met to reopen discussion on the proposed road that would stretch roughly between West End and Aberdeen.
An on-again-off-again proposal that has been kicked around for well over a decade, the proposed bypass aims to reduce vehicle congestion at the traffic circle and along Hwy 5 in Pinehurst by providing an option for thru-traffic flow to the commercial corridor in Southern Pines and Aberdeen.
Various routes have been proposed by various parties over the years and were narrowed down to two primary options in the NC Department of Transportation’s long-range plans. Then the process stalled.
Wednesday’s meeting was called by the Moore County committee to restart the process, before NCDOT simply steps in and decides on its own what’s best for the County.
By the end of the meeting, it was apparent that all the options are going back on the table for discussion, including the option to “do nothing,” to improve existing roads, or to construct a new route entirely.
“This is going to be a long process, but there will be a chance for the committee and everybody in the county to be heard,” explained County Commissioner Jimmy Melton, who serves as moderator for the MCTC. “We are trying to get these issues resolved to the betterment of our county, and I appreciate everyone’s participation.”
Addressing the committee, NCDOT’s Frances Bisby offered a refresher course on the Comprehensive Transportation Plan [CPT] process, emphasizing the lengthy timeline between planning [2-3 years], programming [up to 7 years], design [1-2 years], land procurement [1-2 years], and construction [1-2 years].
“The difference between a Transportation Improvement Program and a CTP, is the first addresses one primary deficiency — one need and one purpose — whereas the CTP addresses a community’s quality of life, its economic growth and development, and connectivity of users and destinations,” said Bisby, noting that a CTP also can offer opportunities for alternative funding resources for such amenities as greenways and bike paths.
She continued: “A CTP is used to make sure that the community vision is incorporated into the long range planning process and to provide local agencies [municipalities] the opportunity to preserve the corridors vital to their community’s land use plan and long range vision.”
Matt Day, a senior planner for the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization [TARPO] agreed.
“To plan is a difficult thing to do, but it is vital,” he said. “But a CTP documents what is desired for a given road, with the understanding that nothing may happen for thirty years.”
He explained that NCDOT has no control over local development; therefore, it is up to each area and municipality to protect the desired travel corridor for future road development. If the corridor is not protected, when the CTP is moved forward to the point of funding, then the whole planning process must start over.
Of particular interest are those approved, but as yet unconstructed, developments that will impact traffic and must be considered in planning, including Pine Forest, Stonehill Pines, and East Lakes in Aberdeen, as well as proposed developments The Pit, Mace Project — both also in Aberdeen — and Pinewild IV, which is located along the far northwestern edge of the Pinewild community.
Speaking in opposition to a proposed route — still on the previous maps —that bisects his 800-acre tract in the Foxfire Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction, Mike Wilson reminded the committee that Moore County is also currently developing a Working Lands Protection Plan which specifically addresses the need and desire to protect forest and farmlands.
“That plan states the proportion of Longleaf forest in Moore is five percent,” Wilson said, “and where you have that road going through, is right through a big section of that five percent.”
As a member of the Small Area A Plan Steering Committee, Wilson said he knows what people in that area have said they want.
“They said no new roads — and to protect and preserve what we have,” Wilson explained.
Also speaking in opposition to both routes that had been formerly proposed, another resident argued that a new road so close in proximity to already developed areas would only encourage additional development. Instead he suggested that, if the goal was truly to improve traffic flow and a new road is necessary, that it should begin well beyond West End on Hwy 211, on the far side of the Seven Lakes population center and then drop down towards Aberdeen.
For now, planning will begin with several charrettes — basically, community workshop meetings — to be scheduled throughout Moore County in early November to discuss the Western Connector and other areas of interest, including the Carthage 24/27 bypass and the US 1 freeway project.
Extensive maps will be provided and Moore County Planning staff will be on-hand to assist interested residents in reviewing options making their own recommendations on whether and where new roads should be located.
