‘X’ MARKS THE SPOT FOR ROUNDABOUT ON WESTMORELAND
Jan. 8. By Dave Vieser. Cornelius and the NCDOT have reached an agreement on the funding for the extension of Northcross Drive from Cornelius to Huntersville. Under the terms of the deal, the town will be responsible for paying $2.512 million out of a total project cost $15.213 million. The remainder will be funded by the state.
Assistant Town Manager Wayne Herron announced the financial details at the Town Board meeting this week.
HERRON
Northcross Drive will be extended from Hwy. 73 near Whole Foods at Exit 25 north up to Eagle Ridge Way at Westmoreland.
The extension will end in a new round-about on Westmoreland Road. Bike and Pedestrian accommodations will be provided for portions of the new road.
Town officials said “there will be a safe crossing constructed for greenway users at the point the greenway and Northcross extension meet.”
The north south road is expected to relieve some of the congestion on both Hwy. 21 and West Catawba, giving motorists an additional option for travel between Huntersville and Cornelius.
The state funding comes from the I77 Bonus Allocation pool, which means the construction contract must be issued no later than June 30 of this year.
Bonus Allocation funds are being provided to towns such as Cornelius which have endured significant inconvenience during the toll lane construction project.
The town funds will be transmitted in two segments: $489,000 immediately and $2.03 million prior to authorization of the construction contract. If the project costs exceed the available funds, the Town will be responsible for 50% of the costs of any overages.
Herron said the DOT has agreed to provide adequate advance notice should there be any overage.The town funds will come from voter approved transportation bonds.
Property acquisition and construction are expected to begin by December 2020.
