By Tom Woerner
Dunn Daily Record
ANGIER – Signs of work on a new bypass are showing hints of other things to come in the “Town of Crepe Myrtles.”
“Several more residential areas are planned for areas adjacent to the bypass,” said Angier Mayor Bob Smith. “We are also getting indications of various commercial interests planning investments near the bypass.”
Continued growth and rising traffic counts sparked the need for the bypass.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded a $61.5 million contract to Highland Paving Co. to begin work on the new route in October. The overall project involves widening N.C. Highway 55 to four lanes and adding a bypass to connect commuters to Raleigh through a new route just south of Oak Grove Church Road to N.C. Highway 210 and Jicarilla Lane in Wake County.
The first segment to be built will run from N.C. 210 in northeastern Harnett County to Jicarilla Lane in southern Wake County, for a total of 4.5 miles, according to a release from NCDOT. “The highway is a major north-south route in the fast-growing Triangle, and it is experiencing heavy commuter traffic. The widening and new bypass will alleviate congestion, plan for more traffic growth and enhance highway safety.”
Smith predicts commercial growth will be particularly evident in areas near the intersection of the bypass and N.C. Highway 210.
“I predict this could be a major impetus towards positive growth,” Smith said.
But growth often involves adjustments.
“The new Angier bypass will bring changes to Angier and some of our people will be hurt,” Smith said, adding that downtown businesses could see a drop in customers when the heavier traffic is rerouted away from the town’s core. The alleviation of heavy traffic, though, should make shops easier to access.
“… The benefits to the overall community will be a redeeming factor,” he said.
The mayor hopes that revenue from the growth will help pay for several major projects underway. That includes a new park on land the town already owns in southern Angier, a new police station planned for McIver Street and upgrades to an aging water system.
Highland Paving Co. has until the end of 2026 to complete the first segment of the bypass project.
The next section of work, taking the road from N.C. 210 south to an intersection with existing N.C. 55 is expected to be awarded later this year.
The last segment will connect Jicarilla Lane to N.C. Highway 42 in Fuquay-Varina.
Transportation officials say the price tag for the entire project will come in at approximately $121.6 million. Signs of the work are popping up near the town’s southern limits.
The bypass will wind around the western side of Angier and tie back into N.C. 55 near Kennebec Church Road, according to project highlights on the NCDOT website. “The bypass would avoid impacting businesses on Raleigh Street going through the center of town. Together, the improvements would total 11.5 miles when all three segments are constructed.”
The project also includes construction of a raised median separating the four-lane highway and redirecting drivers from the side roads or driveways into turning right. Dedicated U-turn lanes will be built into the design to help drivers go in opposite directions.
