What Does the Future NOW Hold for Winston-Salem?

"tracking-the-future" Journal Article

We can all sit by and do nothing or we can stand up for what is right and what is needed for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.  If we do nothing -- we get nothing.  If we stand up for our area -- then we can all be involved in what is needed.

Why is the Beltway Needed?

• Relieve Traffic on Highway 52 and Business 40.
• Highway 52 is not up to Interstate Standards (with too many interchanges -- only four lanes)
• Safety Concerns on Highway 52 and Hwy 66 that show high accident rates.
• I-77 Truck Traffic is routed along I-74 in Mt. Airy to Hwy 52, converging on downtown Winston-Salem.  All of these trucks are then routed along Bus 40 that also has high accident rates.
• Commuters Do Not Feel Safe and Know All Too Well of the Problems on Hwy. 52
• To Make Our Area More Desirable for Current Businesses and To Draw New Business.
• Last but Definitely Not Least -- To Help the Property Owners in the Corridor to be able to move on that have been Abandoned and Forgotten by the state and our Governor.

What is Needed?

• 
  
  I-74/Eastern Section of the Northern Beltway - which WILL BRING:
• 
  
  New Industry
• 
  
  Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
• 
  
  A Stimulus to the Triad
• 
  
  Advance the Triad
• 
  
  Bring More Opportunities for the Citizens of the Triad

This is not a situation where we sit back and let the other guy do it.  It is going to require ALL of the Triad to band together and let our elected officials (local and state), the Governor and the NCDOT Transportation Secretary, know that this is our future you are ranking last and it SHOULD be a high priority for North Carolina.  The Global Economy is calling and without this high priority corridor (I-74), our state will not be able to compete and participate, if it doesn't provide a more efficient highway to draw industries looking for their next building site.  Distribution Centers logistically need this highway, along with other industry, because of the cost factor in moving goods.  If North Carolina is serious about promoting economic growth, then why did the I-74 rank last?

The Triad needs to start asking questions NOW!   The draft list will undergo a year of public comment and review.....and changes are still possible.  The Priority List will not be adopted until next Summer (2011).    Let's continue to voice our concerns for what is right for our area and state.  ALL of Our Voices need to be heard NOW!

SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE

In today's Journal Editorial-Article ROAD RAGE, concerning the road projects in Winston-Salem/Triad being delayed.....Both are much needed for the city, the county and the state. 
The writer says "Our leaders must insist to the DOT and to Gov. Bev Perdue that the Business-40 project and the Beltway proceed".  As the writer says, our economy will eventually suffer if the state doesn't get moving on our road improvements.
As mentioned, the beltway is NOW even further off than we thought.  Do all of you feel safe travelling Hwy. 52 and Bus. 40?
Also stated in the article "SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE".  With this statement, all the property owners would certainly agree.  Not only is the economy suffering, but all of these property owners that have had to hear ...ANOTHER TEN YEARS!  Question to NCDOT & Gov. Perdue:  If you are asking us to wait another 10 years, what other excuse will you come up with when 2020 comes around?  Oh well, you won't be around to have to answer to that.

I-74 / Eastern Section "NOT A LOOP"

IT IS TIME TO "BEGIN" BUILDING I-74---THAT WAS PLANNED MANY YEARS AGO. 

RIGHT NOW THE STATE IS LOOKING AT THIS PROJECT, ALONG WITH 24 OTHER PROJECTS (Urban Loop Prioritization Process "ULPP").  IN AUGUST THEY WILL ANNOUNCE HOW THIS PROJECT WILL BE RANKED, ALONG WITH LOCAL URBAN LOOPS AROUND THE STATE.  THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THIS HIGHWAY IS NOT A "LOCAL URBAN LOOP".

This highway is a major interstate that was planned long ago so that the traffic, travelling from the I-77 taking the I-74 in Mt. Airy, could be diverted away from Highway 52 coming into downtown Winston-Salem.  This traffic includes large 18-wheelers, travelling from the north.  Last year (per WSPD records), there were 584 wrecks reported with several injuries and 2 fatalities.  How many could have been avoided if all this traffic was not using Hwy 52, but instead the proposed I-74/Eastern leg?  Currently, Hwy 52 has approximately 85,000 vehicles per day (it was designed to carry 60,000 per day).

I-74 is needed NOW for this area and for the State.   For all that live in this area and want to see Economic Growth, New Jobs, New Industry and a Safer Highway 52, please support this needed highway project.