Fairview Flyover options unveiled

A Charlotte consultant has unveiled four alternatives for Mooresville’s long-planned Fairview Flyover – the proposed Interstate 77 bridge and possible interchange at Fairview Road south of I-77 Exit 33.

The goal of each alternative is to improve east-west traffic flow in the Mount Mourne area, improve access to I-77 and alleviate peak-hour congestion, town officials said. The area includes the Lowe’s national headquarters and Lake Norman Regional Medical Center.

The town included the Fairview Flyover in its original Mount Mourne Small Area Plan, Mooresville Transportation Planner Neil Burke said. The project also was included in the Mooresville Comprehensive Transportation Plan in 2007, he said.

The Fairview Flyover is so named because each alternative would include a bridge over the interstate. Each alternative also would involve relocating Alcove Road farther to the west of I-77.

Town officials and Johnathan Guy of consultant Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. unveiled the alternatives at a public workshop at the Charles Mack Citizen Center on Feb. 5. The alternatives are:

•  A bridge over the interstate connecting Fairview and Alcove roads. Town and Kimley-Horn officials said that’s the simplest and least expensive of the options at $15 million to $20 million. It would cause minimal disruption during construction, officials said.

•  A Fairview I-77 interchange that would involve relocating the full-movement interchange at Williamson Road (Exit 33) to Fairview Road. Relocating the interchange would create a much-needed connection between Williamson Road and N.C. 115, officials said, but it would cost in the $30 million range, making it the most expensive option, Guy said.

•  A “split diamond” interchange that is less familiar to N.C. drivers. The project would include a new northbound-only lane taking I-77 motorists from the Fairview Road exit to U.S. 21 near Exit 33 and a new southbound-only lane from the Food Lion shopping center near Exit 33 to the Fairview Road area. The cost would be slightly less than the Fairview interchange option, Guy said

•  Improving Williamson Road by widening the existing bridge, improving the connection to U.S. 21 and adding a “loop ramp” for motorists headed east on Williamson who want to get onto I-77 North. Motorists would turn right onto the new ramp to loop back onto I-77 North. They now turn left off Williamson. The option would cost in the $25 million range, Guy said.

Bob Wilson, president of the 36-year-old Rowboat Dock & Dredge company off Exit 33, said he was concerned because two of the options would split his property in half. He said he would no longer be able to sell his land if he ever chose to put it on the market.

Guy told Wilson the project is still in the study stage, and more meetings will be held for citizen input, including meetings with “stakeholders,” those property owners directly affected by a project. Burke told Wilson he will add him to the list.

The project is still 10 to 15 years away, Guy said. The next step will involve whittling the alternatives down to one preferred choice, he said.

Greenway meeting

The Cornelius PARC Department will hold a community meeting 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 12 to discuss a proposed trail to connect Bailey Road Park at N.C. 115 to U.S. 21 near Northcross Shopping Center. The meeting will be at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.

Medical office building

Cornelius-based J.D. Goodrum Co. Inc. began construction recently of an 8,000-square-foot medical office building at 19735 Kunkleman Drive, Cornelius.

Designed by Lorenz Architecture, the single-story building will have a brick and stone façade. The interior will consist of a dental office with patient and exam rooms, a state-of-the-art X-ray room, reception areas and office space, J.D. Goodrum founder and partner David Goodrum said.

The building also will house one tenant space besides the dental practice, he said.

J.D. Goodrum Co. is a 27-year-old general contractor firm. Its other partner is Jamie Yoxtheimer.

The company is at 18339-F Old Statesville Road. Details: www.jdgoodrum.com.