Roundabout and other improvements a few years away
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Drivers in Clay County will have another round-about in a few years. The new one will alleviate that awkward sharp turn beside Truett Baptist Church in downtown Hayesville.
According to Wes Jamison, Division Project Development Engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, project R-5863 is currently under design and will make several improvements to US Business 64 in Clay County.
“This project goes from US 64 to Main Street in Hayesville,” Jamison said. “There will be one roundabout that will replace the intersection of US 64 Business and May Street and Hiawassee Street.”
Jamison explained why roundabouts are used in places like that intersection. “The use of a roundabout at this intersection should improve the traffic efficiency and minimize delays for all users of this intersection,” he said. Jamison said there are no other roundabouts planned on Business 64.
In addition to the roundabout, some other improvements are planned for Business 64. The road will be widened at Courthouse Drive and a left turn lane will be added.
“That allows through traffic to continue to move,” Jamison explained. “The project mainly consists of widening the existing roadway to include bike lanes and a sidewalk. This project is scheduled in September of 2024 with construction starting by October.”
Project Manager Jared Bond said the entire US Business 64 improvement plan is part of the NCDOT project identified as R-5863. “Currently we are estimating the project to take 2.5 to 3 years to complete; however, prior to advertisement next year, the NCDOT Contract Standards and Development Unit will supply a definitive date for project completion,” Bond added.
When asked about property purchases along the route into town, Bond replied, “Purchases had already begun prior to 2020 but were suspended when the project was delayed because of COVID. Right of way acquisition has re-started, with crews staking the right of way and easements in August. Initial contact with property owners has begun through the NCDOT Division Right Of Way Unit.”
Purchasing land is included in cost estimates for road improvement projects.
What are the projected costs? “The most recent cost estimate we have for this project is $10.5 million for construction and $4.2 million for right of way,” Jamison said.