8/25/04

Work Continues on Holly Springs Road Projects
Town Officials Urge Residents to Use Extra Care Near Road Construction Sites

While the name Holly Springs brings to mind a red and green color scheme, a drive along many major Town thoroughfares will show Holly Springs decked in orange, seemingly the temporary Town color as work continues on a number of road improvement projects this year.

Among the most noticeable road projects are the Holly Springs Road intersection projects at Main Street and at Sunset Lake Road . Construction on other transportation projects – including widening Holly Springs Road near Holly Springs Elementary School, paving sidewalks, and paving connector roads – has either already begun or is slated to begin soon. Below is an update on the progress of the road projects.

Holly Springs Road intersection projects:

Work on the Holly Springs Road intersections at Main Street and at Sunset Lake Road is continuing and is scheduled to be complete by spring, 2005. The two intersections have been redesigned to handle projected traffic for another decade. Improvements include new lanes, curbs and gutters, medians, sidewalks, and traffic signals. As part of the projects, Eisenhower Drive at Sunset Lake Road also will be paved, and curbs and gutters will be added. And, Holly Springs Road near Holly Springs Elementary School will be widened. Recently, relocation of the waterline in front of the school was completed.

“So far, the work on these intersections has mainly been on underground utilities, so it’s hard for the public to see the progress that we’ve made,” said Stephanie Sudano , director of the Holly Springs Engineering Department.

Sudano warned drivers to pay special attention while driving through the intersections because of temporary road and signal relocations that can change from day to day.

In addition to Town revenues, the $1.9 million Holly Springs Road/Main Street intersection project is being funded by a $150,000 NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) grant and $162,000 in developer contributions. The $3.42 million Holly Springs Road/Sunset Lake Road intersection project is funded by Town revenues and $846,342 in developer contributions.

Avent Ferry Road projects:

Upcoming construction on Avent Ferry Road includes paving a gravel road that links Avent Ferry Road and Earp Street . The Town is currently working to complete right-of-way and easement acquisition from nearby property owners for the paving project. Avent Ferry will also be widened to include angled parking near Town Hall. Construction is to begin later this fall.

Ballentine Street projects:

Upcoming work on Ballentine Street includes a realignment in downtown Holly Springs and an extension of the street west of the NC 55 bypass so that Ballentine will extend to the vicinity of Premier Drive .

Work on realigning Ballentine Street in downtown Holly Springs near the location of the future library and cultural center is awaiting the approval of the design for the buildings. Once the location of the buildings and the landscape elevations are finalized, road design will begin.

The Town Council recently approved the final alignment of Ballentine through the Business Park , and the Town currently is finalizing the contract for the design portion of the project. Advertising for construction bids for the project is to begin in late winter. The Ballentine Street extension in the Holly Springs Business Park , which will be funded with both a $400,000 grant awarded to the Town by NCDOT and Town funds, will improve traffic flow within the park and is anticipated to attract and support future businesses.

Estes Lane :

Holly Springs is slated to pave its last Town-maintained gravel road before winter. The Town currently is accepting bids from contractors for the work, which is expected to begin in late September.

Stinson Avenue :

Paved portions of Stinson Avenue are to be installed so that the road will connect Bass Lake Road and Grigsby Avenue . To complete the connection, two segments need to be added.

The first segment, Stinson Avenue through Womble Park , is nearly complete. The newly-paved road still needs speed bumps and pavement markings, which should be completed within weeks. Landscaping along the roadway will be finished in fall. This $500,000 project, which included installation of two parking lots in Womble Park , was part of the park’s master plan and was funded by Town revenues.

The second segment of the project will connect the Woodcliff and Chelsea Woods subdivisions. Currently, the Town is working with state regulatory agencies on permitting for this project.

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While construction is underway this summer and fall, the Town Engineering Department staff is designing additional transportation improvement projects for later this year and for next year.

“We’re continuing to press forward to try and complete these projects as close as we can to the original schedule,” said Senior Engineer Kendra Stephenson . “It’s a very busy construction season, and we appreciate patience of the traveling public.”

As with any construction project, inclement weather can postpone completion of construction.

For more information about current and future construction projects, contact Town of Holly Springs Engineering Department Director Stephanie Sudano or Senior Engineer Kendra Stephenson at (919) 557-3938.

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us