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NCDOT Meets with Laurel Hill residents to discuss I-74

Laurel Hill is the only town along the US 74 stretch that sits between the Rockingham and Laurinburg Bypass. (Old Hundred is more of a tiny crossroads.)
The meeting basically was a chance to let local residents know the possible options for building I-74 through the area. Option 1 is a total upgrade of the at-grade US 74 to Interstate standards. The other option would be upgrading US 74 but with a bypass of Laurel Hill. The bypass would run slightly north then slightly south of the town.
No idea on the cost but it says the project could take seven to 10 years to complete.

Story Link: http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=243246

Commentary:

This is the first clues to what NCDOT may do with building I-74 from Rockingham to Laurinburg. most of the route will be upgraded to a limited access highway from the divided four lane today. US 74 through here is rural with a few small homes and produce stands bordering it. There is one stoplight at NC 144 in Laurel Hill. Most of the town is on the north side of US 74.

The one possible obstacle is the CSX tracks which in Laurel Hill parallels US 74 (also on the north side of the highway. The road is years away but it is nice to have an idea what could possibly happen.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Instead of messing up Highway 74 through Laurel Hill, North Carolina again why don’t y’all fix the roads in Western North Carolina …put the money up there, put the effort up there . we were just there for business and that money to fix their roads and the manpower is desperately needed. Fixing the roads in Western North Carolina is so much more important than taking 15 minutes off of somebody getting to Myrtle Beach or Wilmington 15 minutes sooner. Besides, they are already driving 75 mph in a 45 mph zone. You could also bypass Wadesboro NC… they only have 100 stop lights….
Anonymous said…
Annette pierce

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