AG 2001 05 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

INFRASTRUCTURE Transportation Many times transportation discussions center on automobile transportation and roads. While this is certainly the predominant method of moving from place to place there are other modes of transportation that can be explored. This / secti°n will n°t °nly discuss Planning f°r new r°ads but I ~ will also discuss bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes of transportation and their role in getting people to their destination. A portion of the Harrisburg planning area falls within the transportation planning jurisdiction of the Cabarrus-South Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The MPO's Transportation Plan was last published in October 1997 and is in the process of being re_vised. It is anticipated that the revised plan will be adopted in the spring/summer of 2001. This planning process will include a comprehensive transportation needs telephone survey of area residents, a master planning process for on and offroad bicycle transportation, and recommendations for transit options. In addition to the Transportation Plan, the Collector Street Plan was completed by the MPO in November 1999. This plan goes a step beyond Highways, Thoroughfares, and Minor Thoroughfares and considers the need and locations for collector streets. The following discussion is intended to supplement the MPO's transportation and collector street plans and to make recommendations on local issues to include in these plans. This discussion will be split into three categories: roads, bicycle/pedestrian, and transit. Roads - Current Status It seems that for each development project proposed there is concern raised over traffic congestion and the need for road improvements. With the State's recognition that there is a major shortfall in available revenue to fund the Transportation Improvement Program, road projects proposed today will take many years to be identified by the State for construction and several more years before they are actually completed. This will require careful prioritization of projects by local government to ensure that the projects that are completed will have a positive impact on the transportation system. Several major transportation routes serve the Harrisburg planning area. These include NC 49, NC 24/27, US 29, and Interstate 85. Of these, Highway 49 serves as the area's major transportation facility. Interstate 85 and Highways 29, 49 and 24/27 provide convenient access to Charlotte from Cabarrus and distant counties. Interstate 85 is the major artery between Charlotte and Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Highway 49 serves as a major route between Charlotte and Raleigh and provides motorists an alternative to Interstate 85. Highway 49 is also the major route between the Town of Harrisburg and the University Area. 23