MONROE — The N.C. Department of Transportation’s N.C. Turnpike Authority will host two meetings next week to update the community on the status of the proposed Monroe Bypass, which hit a snag last month.
The fourth circuit court of appeals ruled in May that the NCDOT violated federal mandates by not conducting the appropriate environmental impact studies, thereby manipulating the actual results showing the “need” for the construction of the bypass.
The NCDOT has filed an appeal of the ruling and is waiting to hear back from the court on whether or not they’ll hear the appeal.
But while they wait, the NCDOT and Turnpike Authority are continuing to obtain right-of-ways for the possible construction of the bypass.
To explain to the community the continued actions of the NCDOT and Turnpike Authority, two community meetings are scheduled for Monday, June 18, at Next Level Church, 4317 Stevens Mill Road, Matthews, and Tuesday, June 19, at the Union County Agricultural Center, 3230 Presson Road, Monroe.
Calls to the NCDOT for comment were not returned by press deadline.
Both meetings are from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with identical presentations regarding the project’s legal, environment and construction status scheduled for 6 and 7 p.m. each night.
During the meetings, the public will have a chance to ask questions and meet with right-of-way agents regarding schedule, relocation and assistance programs.
Various project materials will be on display such as large-scale maps, roadway designs and proposed aesthetics for the toll road.
The proposal for the Monroe Bypass is for 19.7 miles of highway from U.S. 74 at Interstate 485 in eastern Mecklenburg County to U.S. 74 between Wingate and Marshville.
Additional project details are available at www.monroeconnector-bypass.com. Property owners who have questions should contact their right-of-way agent directly or the field office at 5419 Indian Trail/Fairview Road, Indian Trail, N.C. 28079, 704-893-0131, monroerightofway@ncdot.gov
Property owners also can contact Richard Baucom, Monroe Bypass project manager, at 704-289-7905 or via email at monroe@ncdot.gov.
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