The Week in Review August 18, 2007 Wilmington NC

Burgaw bypass might move
Flood maps, cost could change road's path

<!---->

Transportation officials are considering changing the starting point of the proposed Burgaw bypass from east on N.C. 53 to the intersection of N.C. 53 and Stag Park Road to save money, said Town Manager Martin Beach.

The change in the bypass comes after the Federal Emergency Management Agency altered its flood maps earlier this year. Beach, who met with Department of Transportation officials Aug. 7, said the new FEMA maps would have the east N.C. 53 starting point going through a flood-prone area.

'The bypass would require a bridge to span this area, and DOT said that would be more expensive,' Beach said.

The DOT has estimated the Burgaw bypass will cost about $22.4 million. Officials think that with the Stag Park Road starting point, the price of the project will be significantly lower because a bridge won't need to be built over Burgaw Creek, said Jay McInnis, a DOT project manager.

Under the new plan, Stag Park Road would become a four-way intersection to be an entryway for the bypass, McInnis said.

Construction on the two-lane roadway from N.C. 53 near I-40 southwest of Burgaw to N.C. 53 southwest of Burgaw to N.C. 53 northeast of town was scheduled to begin as early as next year. DOT funneled money reserved for Burgaw's bypass to other state transportation projects last year, after town residents and the board of commissioners failed to support the project, Beach said.

Deal could be reached to ride horses at beach

Carolina Beach officials might be changing their stand on horses in the town.

Tim Owens, town manager, said at Tuesday night's town council meeting that he has been in discussion with Chris Lutterloah, a Pender County man who has been cited for riding his horses on Carolina Beach in the past. He said the two talked about possibly changing the town ordinance to allow for horse riding in Freeman Park.

The council approved a motion for a public hearing regarding the issue at the council's regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 9.

Owens told council members he thinks horses on town streets wouldn't be safe and the north end of the beach, Freeman Park, also sees a lot of traffic. But he noted that the town of Kitty Hawk has allowances for horse riders and said he could envision a compromise between the town and Lutterloah and other equestrians.

Council member Alan Gilbert said having horses on the beach during the offseason was a possibility.

Other modes of transportation soon will be available, though.

The council approved an amendment and application for a pedicab business.

Council members and participating residents addressed safety issues with Graham Horne, beach resident and soon-to-be pedicab operator, specifically dealing with pedicabs on town streets.

Because the town promotes itself as friendly to cyclists and other pedestrians, one participant said the use of pedicabs shouldn't be treated any differently. Horne said he has taken precautions into consideration since he and others will be riding the bicycle-drawn carts from afternoon hours late into the night. Lights and reflectors will be used to help identify the pedicabs to passing drivers, he said. He said he'll start with a single bike and then expand as business demands.