News

NCDOT spells out timeline for killing off Balfour Parkway

By Bill Moss, Published: May 17, 2018

A consulting engineer has laid out a three-month process the agency will follow to remove the Balfour Parkway from the state transportation priority list culminating in action by the State Transportation Improvement Plan to remove the project in late summer.

"The same partners who initially identified and supported the project can also agree to eliminate the project," Planning Group Manager Kristina Miller, of RK&K consulting, said in an email Thursday. "As a member of the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization, Henderson County’s stance on the project will be considered by this regional transportation agency."

The MPO is expected to agree during a meeting next week to initiate the process to remove the project from the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). That will trigger a pu blic comment period beginning June 6. The MPO will take up the TIP amendment on June 28.Upon approval of the TIP amendment, NCDOT would proceed to remove Balfour Parkway from the STIP by August. The N.C. Board of Transportation is expected to adopt the amendment in late summer, at which point the $160 million project would be dead.

 "NCDOT and the entire project team appreciate the time and feedback given for this project," the NCDOT said. "Please be assured that the vote by Henderson County will not strain the working relationship and partnership between NCDOT and the county. NCDOT looks forward to continuing to work with Henderson County to address the county’s transportation needs."