Traffic congestion, bonds dominate EDC meeting

By Rose Hooper

While Jackson County commissioners have requested a feasibility study to hopefully address the traffic congestion problem on N.C. 107, Department of Transportation Division Engineer Ron Watson said the DOT has been "pro-active" on this issue.

Watson, speaking at Monday's EDC meeting in Sylva, said he and Ron Leatherwood, state board representative for the western region, "have already put in for a feasibility study on a South Sylva Loop." The loop, Watson said, could be two-fold, coming from U.S. 441 to N.C. 107, as well as from U.S. 74 to N.C. 107.

"We have satellite markings for proposed routes, but a satellite line is nothing definite. I've heard people say that they've seen the map, and it's going to take their front yard, but that's not so," said Watson. "The line is not hard and fast and can be moved a mile or so in either direction."

A map drawn several years ago showed the so-called Southern Loop coming from U.S. 441 through the property that is now Wal-Mart, said EDC member Jay Coward.

"Obviously, when that map was drawn, Wal-Mart did not figure into the picture," Watson said. Recent paving of North River Road has enhanced traffic flow on that stretch of road, said Coward. "If South River Road were paved, that would provide an alternate route to N.C. 107, without having to build a loop," he said.

If a loop is built, Watson said the process "would be quite lengthy - at least five years; it's not a quick fix." He advised the board that the next Transportation Improvement Plan meeting is 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at Southwestern Community College, during which time the EDC can make its wishes concerning the loop road known to state DOT representatives.

In other business Monday, Western Carolina University Chancellor John Bardo asked the EDC to endorse the state Higher Education Improvement Bonds, which will be voted on during the Nov. 7 general election.

"More students mean more professors, and more professors mean more locally-hired support staff," Bardo said. "The economic impact of the bonds would be like bringing in several new businesses to Jackson County."

The proposed $3.1 billion bond would help renovate and replace classrooms, laboratories and academic buildings and provide other capital improvements to the University of North Carolina's 16 college campuses. WCU's share of the bond would be $98.4 million, Bardo said. "Right now, we are $240 million under capitalized," he said.

EDC board members voted to endorse the bond referendum.

The EDC also voted to award Webster Enterprises $15,000 for marketing purposes.

"What Webster Enterprises would like is a marking director, but since they don't have the necessary funds, they are requesting $15,000 to join Outsources, a company that will market their medical device products for them. It could enable them to create new jobs," EDC Chairman Tom McClure said.

In other marketing news, Eric Brinke with the Department of Commerce told the EDC that he is currently updating Jackson County's industrial sites on the web. The sites can be accessed here.

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