CCEC Alerts and Bulletins keep citizens informed about county wide issues, meetings, events, and opportunities that impact Chatham’s future and support the mission of CCEC.  To receive our Alerts and Bulletins, drop an email to info@chathamcitizens.org, give us your name and ask to be placed on our email list serve. 

CCEC BULLETIN: September 3, 2010

Chatham BOC Responds to NCDOT US64 Corridor Study

Last year in May the Chatham Board of Commissioners (BOC) in a letter to the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) stated their concerns and objections regarding a plan to upgrade routes 64 and 49 so as to relieve traffic on I-40 and I-85. That was the sentiment in 2009 toward the Phase I US 64-NC 49 Corridor Study. They deemed it to be a bad plan for Chatham. In no uncertain terms, that remains the sentiment in 2010 to the US64 Phase IIA Study. 

In their most recent response (released this week) to the NCDOT’s plan to convert US64 into an Interstate super slab through the heart of Chatham, the BOC turned to key county government boards, committees and officials as well as citizen comments to drive home their message. That message in a nutshell:

            “In the final analysis, the Board of Commissioners believes the proposed plan is a bad idea for Chatham County, the region and for other North Carolina citizens. Until such time as the issues expressed herein are adequately addressed, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners opposes the proposed plan.” 

To take a look at all “the issues expressed herein,” follow this link to the Executive Summary document that has been sent to NCDOT. (http://www.chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=1294  then find US64 Phase IIA Study). 

As CCEC stated in our previous US64 Bulletin, this is not the end of the road, but this official document (to which 36 citizens contributed) is a resounding message as to where that road should (or should not) go. To those 36 citizens, we extend our thanks for making the most of the opportunity for which we advocated. To the groups that contributed their valuable input to this county document, we offer our gratitude. To the NCDOT, we propose that this is now the time to put public relations and active listening skills into high gear as they process the feedback from a county that is left feeling like second class citizens:

“It is an understatement that we believe we have been relegated to second tier status as citizens given the obvious impact such a plan will have on Chatham County.” 

CCEC looks forward to a time in the near future when we can hopefully share with you a response from the NCDOT that sincerely addresses the issues and concerns set forth.