Agencies choose widening, bypass of towns for U.S. 17 improvements through Jones County

The preferred alternative for improvements to U.S. 17 through Jones County has been selected by the state Department of Transportation and the 11 state and federal agencies.

The alternative, which includes a bypass around Maysville and Pollocksville, has been chosen by DOT and the environmental regulatory agencies involved, DOT officials announced on Wednesday. The announcement comes on the heels of the contract award for the southern leg of a New Bern bypass.

It also includes widening to a four-lane divided highway several sections of the existing roadway from north of Jacksonville in Onslow County to south of New Bern in Craven County.

 "It's great news," said Marc Finlayson, director of the Highway 17 Association. "It is a tremendous step toward getting this stretch of road improved. It is something that has needed to be done for a long time."

Troy Smith, a forming member and past president of the association now led by Onslow County Commissioner Lionell Midgett, said, "I am very pleased, gratified, that the state and appropriate agencies have finally gotten their act together."

"I don't want to appear bitter, but that stretch is the worst strip there is in the whole area as far as danger - the numbers are there - and it's not done yet," said Smith. "But I think we should give those in the current administration their due. (Gov. Bev) Perdue and (DOT Secretary Eugene) Conti have injected themselves into this and are making some affirmative moves forward that are overdue and we appreciate it."

The alternative now preferred would attach to the 17 New Bern Bypass southern leg that is expected to be completed from U.S. 70 near Clarks to U.S. 17 at the Craven-Jones county line in 2½ years. From there, existing U.S. 17 would be widened to four lanes, then bypass Pollocksville to the west. The roadway would return to a widened, four-lane divided highway from there to near Maysville and bypass that town, also to the west, and go on to Belgrade.

DOT's original preference was to continue on a separated highway beside Belgrade, Finlayson said, but wetlands and other issues forced the highway to track through Belgrade.

 Jim Davis, the Craven County economic development director, said the decision "will particularly assist our Department of Defense agencies locally that have a lot of interagency movement. It will be a safer corridor for them to travel. It is also a key highway for North Carolina tourism for those who like to travel closer to the coast."

DOT expects to issue the final state environmental impact statement for the project during the spring of 2010, said Jerry Higgins, DOT communications officer, in the release on Wednesday. That will detail potential impacts to natural and human environment and DOT's plan to deal with them.

Once the final impact statement is completed and DOT issues a state record of decision, a public hearing will give citizens a chance to review the final roadway design plans.

Higgins said right-of-way acquisition and construction are currently under review and purchase and contracts will be awarded based on the availability of funds.

"It's still a matter of money," Finlayson said. "DOT still needs to find about $95 million to apply to the project between now and the end of the current State Transportation Improvement Program in 2015."

"We're looking at probably six years before we have meaningful construction, but it is light at the end of the tunnel for sure," Finlayson said. "I think this is real progress."

Sue Book can be reached at (252) 635-5666 or sbook@freedomenc.com.