OOIDA Information Update – North Carolina members
Aug. 8, 2008

Heads up: North Carolina truckers! Your thoughts have been requested on the subject of a proposed toll road known as the Garden Parkway, or Gaston East-West Connector.

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority has one public meeting remaining on the subject that is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11, in Gastonia, NC.

According to a release from the Turnpike Authority, turnpike officials are gathering public comments from meetings and correspondence in order to promote discussion on the purpose and need for the proposed 23-mile parkway connecting Interstate 85 west of Gastonia to Interstate 485 near the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. They also are studying alternatives, stakeholder concerns and future steps in the project development process.

The public meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 11, at Gastonia Adult Recreation Center, 519 W. Franklin Boulevard, Gastonia. This is the third of three meetings on the topic.

People unable to attend the final meeting may comment on the proposal by calling the Turnpike Authority at 919-571-3000; by sending e-mail to gaston@ncturnpike.org; or by writing to:
            Jennifer Harris
            North Carolina Turnpike Authority
            1578 Mail Service Center
            Raleigh, NC 27699-1578

The toll road is scheduled to be constructed from 2010 to 2015 using $35 million in start-up funding authorized in July by the North Carolina General Assembly.