North Carolina Department of Transportation and local officials met Thursday to study drafts of bicycle and railroad route maps of Edgecombe County, and to discuss ideas about how transportation can be improved in the area.
The meeting Thursday was part of an ongoing process to develop a comprehensive transportation plan for the county. The transportation plan, along with other documents like a 10-year land use plan, can show where growth will potentially occur in the county.
The local officials, including Town of Tarboro Planner Troy Lewis, Princeville Town Manager Sam Knight, Speed Mayor Wilbert Harrison and Planning Board member Barbara Hendricks, did not express any misgivings about the accuracy of the bicycle or railroad maps. Instead, a few of them pointed out where they would like to see improvements made to existing roads that are near or over their capacity.
Lewis said that a portion of West Wilson Street in Tarboro, from the Western Boulevard intersection down to the bridge crossing U.S. 64, was supposed to be expanded to three lanes about four years ago. That portion, along with West Wilson Street/N.C. 111 down to Davistown-Mercer Road, is significantly over its capacity, but the project was delayed after state funding was allocated elsewhere.
Ronnie Keeter, NCDOT district engineer, said that now, about 80 percent of the right-of-way for that portion is cleared for expansion, but did not say when the project might begin construction.
Knight said one roadway improvement he wants to see completed is the transformation of a two-lane section of N.C. 33, south of Princeville, into a three-lane roadway. A center turn lane on that stretch would accommodate people turning into Freedom Hill Health Center, and would help traffic flow in the morning in particular, Knight said.
Gwen Parker, Whitakers administrator, said she would like to see improvements made to all of N.C. 33, all the way from Whitakers to near the Pitt County line.
NCDOT's Scott Walston said that out of the rural, two-lane roads that are near or over their current capacity, a "good, standard" two-lane road would fix most of their capacity problems. Walston said such roads would have two 12-feet-wide lanes with two feet of shoulder space on each side.
Lewis, Knight and county Planning Director Ola Pittman agreed with Walston that such roads would fix such congestion.
At the Comprehensive Transportation Plan meeting on June 26, the residents who attended were agreeable about the accuracy of NCDOT's Edgecombe County maps. Since then, Walston and NCDOT official Julie Bollinger have been approaching Edgecombe municipalities for approval of their maps.
Walston said that so far, Speed and Leggett have approved the maps. Bollinger will present the maps for Princeville's approval at the town's monthly meeting on Monday.
Knight said he thought the NCDOT is doing a very good job so far with the county's Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
"I like that they're open mostly for suggestions" about how to improve transportation in the county, Knight said.
Local News
Area officials like NCDOT plans
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Tractor pull again a success
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Gas prices break $3.50 barrier locally
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After hitting $3.479 on Friday, prices fell another two cents per gallon Saturday at Wilco/Hess at Main and Granville in downtown and at Murphy Gas on US 258 South. By Sunday, that price had spread to at least four other outlets in town. -
Edgecombe Garden Club presents annual awards and installs 2012-2014 officers
At its May meeting, the Edgecombe Garden Club was presented with several awards won at the state convention in Asheville. District 12 Director Brenda Crocker made the presentations.
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May is Mental Health Month: Do More For 1 in 4
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Parks and Rec offers wide variety of summer activities
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And for the opportunity to explore your artistic, athletic or even adventurous side, the Tarboro Parks and Recreation Department welcomes children, adults and seniors to participate in a variety of summer activities, including athletic camps, water aerobics, dance classes, arts and crafts and a number of team-oriented programs. -
Here is a list of recreational facilities in and around Tarboro:
Community Swimming Pool
Poplar Street
A swimming pool complex open to all Tarboro residents is located in the geographic center of town on Poplar Street, complete with a diving well, children's pool, competitive swimming pool, bathhouse, and patio/concession area.
Tennis Courts -
Unsolved murders eat at law enforcement, too
It's been 25 years since Roy John Rieck was found, brutally murdered, at Tarboro's Pizza Hut. Rieck, 47, was apparently closing the establishment for the night when he was stabbed at least 20 times. He was found lying in a puddle of blood at 12:15 a.m. on Aug. 31, 1987.
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AIB group Submits application
With its 28-page community profile officially submitted, Tarboro’s America In Bloom (AIB) committee is now focused on igniting a spring cleaning buzz throughout town for the coming of the organization’s judges in June.
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Anew creation working to improve lives of youth
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Muhammad satisfied with term on council
Melvin Muhammad said he did what he intended to do during one term on the Tarboro Town Council by stirring up a little controversy. Now, after not seeking reelection, he's ready to ride off in the sunset.
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