AG 1992 12 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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areas adjacent to these projects. The improved access to 1-85 and the continued growth from Mecklenburg will increase the demand for development in this area. Several other minor projects are included in the TIP in this area, including the construction of a new bridge at Coddle Creek and Weddington Road (scheduled for 1996) and the widening of Cabarrus Avenue at the 601 Bypass to allow the construction of left turn lanes, The growth being experienced in this area will continue to impact the existing roads. The accessibility to 1- 85 and U.S. 29 in this area provides residents easy access to Charlotte. The area also has traffic using collector roads to access these major routes, the most obvious being the use of Poplar Tent Road to access 1-85 for daily commutes. Local staff will be working with NCDOT on improving the existing transportation network and intersections including Pitts School and Poplar Tent Roads, and Rock Hill Church and Weddington Roads. Another transportation facility in the area is the Concord Regional Airport. Design capacity of the airport is for 50 based aircraft, with 25,000 annual itinerant or 35,000 annual local flights. Runway length is proposed at 5,500 feet roughly parallel to Derita Road, but lying closer to Interstate 85. Hangars and support facilities are proposed to be located between the runway and Derita Road. Vehicular access is prosed exclusively from Derita Road. The scheduled completion date of the facility is March 1993. Completion of the airport will necessitate the preparation of an airport/airspace overlay zone to be included in city and county ordinances to protect the airspace in the area. In addition, strong consideration should be given to the need to complete a separate, and more specific, plan for the airport area because of the great effect that the facility will no doubt have on the surrounding area. Additional concerns relating to transportation include possible highway landscaping projects and streetscape considerations, the provision of bikeways and bike lanes, bus service and other forms of public transit, future use of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes, and the possible widening of 1-85 to six lanes. The possibility of the extension of light rail to Charlotte (from its proposed terminus at UNC-C) could also be considered. These items will require more detailed study. The staffs will continue to work with both local and State officials to address transportation concerns and advocate improvements in the area. WESTERN AREA PLAN DRAFT 4 PAGE 22