If you live in northern Union County NC or are considering a real estate purchase there, you should know about the Monroe Connector/Bypass. New information about the roadway is now available.
The proposed Monroe Connector/Bypass, Union County's much discussed and long-awaited highway, took another step forward this week with the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority. The Monroe Connector/Bypass is a proposed toll road that would cut through northern Union County from I-485 in Matthews to US 74 between the Towns of Wingate and Marshville in the eastern end of the county. Its purpose is to provide a high-speed bypass for US 74.
History of the Monroe Connector/Bypass
Discussion and studies of a Monroe bypass have been ongoing since the mid-1990s. A route was selected for the eastern end of the highway and right of way was purchased for that segment of the bypass. Further decisions stalled around 2003 because no funding was available and a connector road from the bypass to western Union County had never been identified. In 2005, the roadway was adopted as a candidate toll facility by the North Carolina General Assembly. The Environmental Impact Study process began again.
Publication of the draft Environmental Impact Study takes affected neighborhoods and communities one step closer to knowing where the route will likely go and who will be impacted. While the Draft EIS shows 16 Detailed Study Alternatives (DSAs) for the route, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority has selected a recommended alternative. The most hotly contested alternatives were those in the vicinity of I-485 running either through Stallings or Indian Trail. The recommended alternative selects the Indian Trail route with the roadway connecting with US 74 somewhat east of the Matthews I-485 interchange.
Monroe Connector/Bypass Timeline
Public hearings for the Monroe Connector/Bypass draft EIS will be held during the second quarter 2009. A preferred alternative will be selected during the third quarter 2009 and a Final Environmental Impact Statement will be published during the fourth quarter. The Record of Decision will be published in the first quarter of 2010. If all goes well, construction will begin in the fall of 2010 with the project open to traffic at the end of 2013.
Click here to view the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Monroe Connector Bypass. Detailed maps of the proposed route are available at this site.
Copyright 2009. Carol Fox. *Monroe Connector/Bypass Route Selection Is One Step Closer*
Discover Charlotte North Carolina's Best Small Towns
Carol Fox of Allen Tate Realtors has helped people find the right homes and neighborhoods in Charlotte North Carolina's best small towns for twenty five years.
Call Carol Fox at 704-814-6242
to list your property for sale or to purchase a home in
Matthews NC, Mint Hill NC and the small towns of Union County NC, including Stallings NC, Indian Trail NC, Weddington NC, Waxhaw NC, Lake Park NC, Marvin NC, Wesley Chapel NC and Monroe NC.
Search for homes and learn more about these communities
at www.CarolinaSmallTownLiving.com.
