THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510070248
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY LANE DEGREGORY, Staff Writer
DATELINE: COLUMBIA LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
In an effort to bring more travelers through North Carolina's rural northeastern communities, state transportation workers will expedite their plans to widen and improve U.S. 64.
The 200 miles of highway between Raleigh and Manteo will be four lanes within 10 years, North Carolina Gov. James B. Hunt Jr., announced Friday - that's two to five years ahead of schedule.
``U.S. 64 is a lifeline from Raleigh to the Outer Banks,'' the governor told a crowd gathered at the Columbia waterfront for the dedication of a new visitors center. ``It is essential that we four-lane the highway as soon as possible.
``As you may know, the section from Plymouth to Columbia was scheduled for completion in 2004. But that's not fast enough for me,'' said Hunt.
``I've asked our new Department of Transportation secretary to speed it up. day through Tyrrell County.''
Two sections of road between Columbia and Manns Harbor will be four lanes wide by 2004, the governor added.
Hunt was in town for the christening of a new $1.1 million visitor center and rest area on U.S. 64. State Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, D-Manteo, State Board of Transportation member R.V. Owens III, state Transportation Secretary Garland Garrett, Columbia Mayor George Owens and state legislators Bill Culpepper and I.W. Locke also attended.
``We need to do even more to provide opportunities for Tyrrell County and eastern North Carolina,'' Hunt said. ``That means providing the infrastructure - like roads - to bring more people and more jobs here.''
In addition to speeding up the road widening project, the governor also plans to meet with state and federal environmental officials later this month to declare U.S. 64 an emergency evacuation route.
``I think we can work out an agreement to cut out federal red tape so we can start building the Manteo Bypass in three years,'' Hunt said, referring to the easternmost portion of the U.S. 64 project - and the direct link to the Outer Banks. ``That's two years ahead of schedule.''
U.S. 64 is two lanes wide most of the way from Manteo to Tarboro. Four-laning the highway will mean adding an additional two lanes in several places, building new four-lane sections in alternative locations at other places, and adding new bridges over the Alligator River and Croatan Sound. Construction will be financed with taxpayers' money.
Portions of the project include:
Manteo to Manns Harbor; 10 miles; $62.2 million; includes a new bridge across the Croatan Sound.
Manns Harbor at the U.S. 264 intersection to east of the Alligator River; 11.7 miles; $13.9 million.
East of the Alligator River to west of Columbia; 16.9 miles; $77.9 million; includes a new bridge across the Alligator River.
The U.S. 64 bypass west of Columbia to the N.C. 45 intersection east of Plymouth; 29.6 miles; $96.8 million.
The Plymouth to Williamston portion of the highway already is four lanes wide.
East of Williamston at the U.S. 1317 intersection to east of secondary road 1303; 12.6 miles; $74 million.
The secondary road 1303 intersection to west of U.S. 258 at Tarboro; 16.1 miles; $74.4 million. This portion of the highway already is under construction as part of the four-laning project.
The Tarboro to Raleigh portion of the highway already is four lanes wide.
``Today, the state Department of Transportation also awarded a contract to four-lane the eight miles of U.S. 64 between secondary road 1303 in Martin County to Everetts,'' North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Jones said Friday afternoon.
``Now, more traffic will be able to use that road. And, certainly more people will be able to visit those areas,'' Jones said. ``In the event of hurricanes or severe storms, U.S. 64, as a four-lane evacuation route, also will help people get out of the coastal areas and into safety much faster.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
DREW WILSON
Staff
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. speaks with Floyd Lupton of Washington during
the opening of a new Department of Transportation rest stop in
Columbia on Friday. At the ceremony, Hunt said, ``U.S. 64 is a
lifeline from Raleigh to the Outer Banks.''
by CNB