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Public Notices

20 New Highway Projects For Division 3

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation today unveiled its draft 10-year transportation plan for 2020-2029 at the monthly Board of Transportation meeting in Raleigh. The plan, called the Draft 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), includes 20 new highway projects in Division 3. The division covers Sampson, Duplin, Onslow, Pender, New Hanover and Brunswick.

The department’s 10-year plan is updated every two years. Projects scheduled in the first five years of the plan are considered committed and are not re-evaluated when a new plan is developed, but projects in the final five years of each 10-year plan are prioritized again for consideration in the next plan. The Board of Transportation is expected to consider final approval of the draft plan this summer.

The 20 new highway projects for Division 3 include:

  • Completion of connecting Interstate 40 and 95 by improving N.C. 24 to a four-lane divided highway in Cumberland, Sampson and Duplin Counties, construction starts in 2029;
  • Improvements to West Corbett Avenue between Belgrade-Swansboro Road and Front Street in Onslow County by converting it from a five-lane road into a superstreet; construction starts in 2029;
  • Widen N.C. 211 from two to four lanes in Brunswick County between Midway Road and Sunset Harbor Road, construction starts in 2029;
  • New Route for Cape Fear Crossing, between U.S. 17 in Brunswick County and N.C. 133, and a new bridge over the Cape Fear River, construction starts after 2029; and
  • Convert Gordon Road from a two to four-lane road between Market Street and I-40 in New Hanover County, construction starts in 2029

Projects with schedule adjustments include:

  • Improve Access management to Market Street from CSX Railroad to Cinema Drive; Jacksonville Street to north of College Road, to better coordinate with the Independence Extension Project, construction to start in 2025; and
  • Convert U.S. 17 to a superstreet between Washington Acres Road and Sloop Point Loop Road in Pender County, to provide traffic with an alternate route until Hampstead Bypass is open, project to still let Sept. 2019, but construction to start in 2023.

“These new projects will be a major benefit for locals, as well as those traveling throughout our state,” said Michael Alford, a member of the state Board of Transportation who represents the division. “These projects will improve congestion and promote economic development.”

The draft STIP includes projects across all transportation modes and in all 100 counties in the state. The list includes 1,266 highway projects, 86 aviation, 235 bicycle and pedestrian, six ferry, 23 public transit and 47 rail projects selected on statewide, regional and division levels. The projects were prioritized based on technical data as well as input from local officials and residents.

The draft plan includes about 500 changes in major highway projects from the current STIP. Half of the changes include new road projects. In addition, it includes about 200 projects where a schedule was changed for planning or budgeting needs, and 10 projects whose schedules were accelerated. Another 24 projects on the current STIP didn’t score high enough this time to remain in the new draft plan. A statewide list of these major highway changes can be found on the NCDOT STIP web page.

Projects that did not score high enough in the evaluation process to be funded at the statewide level rolled over to the regional level for consideration. Projects that were not funded at the regional level could still be considered at the division level. This cascading aspect of the process helps ensure that input from local officials and residents plays an important role in prioritizing projects for funding. More information about the STIP and how transportation projects are funded is available on the NCDOT website.

Division 3 will host an in-house week-long public comment opportunity in February or March during normal business hours. It will be a chance for interested residents to review maps and handouts about projects, ask questions of local staff, and submit comments. There will also be an opportunity for residents to submit comments online, with those details being announced later.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.

***NCDOT***

State of Education and Economy event set for Jan. 31

BURGAW – Pender Education Partnership (PEP), a non-profit foundation designed to augment educational opportunities in Pender County’s public schools, will co-host with MojoTone the first Pender County State of Education and Economy on Jan. 31.

Dr. Steven Hill, superintendent of Pender County Schools, will highlight the current state of education and Randell Woodruff, Pender County manager, will spotlight economic development.

“The State of Education and Economy program will demonstrate that Pender County Schools is educating the workforce of tomorrow,” said Dave Stipe, PEP president. “We welcome our business owners and leadership to this first-time event.”

Doors open at 5 p.m. with beverages and hors d’oeuvres served, as well as tours of the MojoTone facility. The program speakers will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Attendees are urged to RSVP to 910-274-2100.

The event will take place at MojoTone, 137 Worth Beverage Dr. in Burgaw. MojoTone, the maker of American crafted amps, bridges, pickups, speakers, and guitar and bass parts, provides equipment for internationally known recording artists.

Pender Education Partnership, established in 2015, awards student scholarships and mini-grants to educators. Following Hurricane Florence, PEP spearheaded project HOPE, Help Our Pender Educators who were impacted by the storm.

 

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Sign up for STEP Program by Jan. 17, Gov. Cooper Urges Hurricane Florence Survivors

Program Makes Partial Repairs to Damaged Houses so Survivors Can Return Home Sooner

RALEIGH: North Carolinians who are eligible for a special program to provide rapid repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Florence have until January 17, 2019 to sign up and should not delay, Governor Roy Cooper urged today. The Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program provides temporary, partial repairs at no cost to homeowners so Hurricane Florence survivors can return to and remain in their homes while longer-term repairs continue.

“People pushed out of their homes by Hurricane Florence long to return home, and for eligible homeowners the STEP program can help them get home sooner,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Returning home puts families back in their own communities and closer to work and school as they put their lives back together after this devastating storm.”

The STEP program is designed to provide repairs to homes that received approximately $17,000 of damage or less in Hurricane Florence. The program is available in Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Robeson counties.

A total of 15,784 North Carolina storm survivors have been contacted by telephone, text message and postcard to encourage them to apply to participate in the STEP program. Eligible homeowners were selected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) based on data gathered from survivors who registered with FEMA.

To participate in the STEP program, eligible homeowners must sign a Right of Entry (ROE) form by January 17, 2019.

Once a homeowner completes the form, an inspector will visit the home to assess the damage. For homes confirmed eligible for STEP, the inspector will develop a repair plan. Depending on the level of damage, the repairs will be made by either a volunteer disaster relief group (NC Baptists on Mission or United Methodist Committee on Relief) or a professional contractor managed by the state.

So far, volunteer groups have completed STEP repair work on 20 homes with work in progress on another 31 homes. Work is set to begin soon on hundreds more homes whose owners have already signed up for the program.

The STEP program provides rapid, partial repairs to homes to make them livable and allows survivors to leave temporary housing and return home. The STEP program does not return a home to its pre-storm condition, but it does make it possible for families to return home while long-term repairs take place.

Among the kinds of repairs made through the STEP program:

  • Exterior repairs include secure and watertight doors, windows and roof, and safe entrances.
  • The home’s electrical and plumbing systems will be made safe and operational.
  • Interior repairs include a functional kitchen – including a base cabinet under the sink, a surface to prepare food,, basic refrigeration and cooking surfaces, a working sink – and a functional, private bathroom.

More information about the STEP program is available at www.ncdps.gov/florencestep. Eligible homeowners may also visit the application portal or call (833) 257-1100 Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

“We want to make sure that every homeowner who may qualify for this repair program has the opportunity to do so, but time is running out to sign up,” Gov. Cooper said. “If you’ve been notified that the STEP program may be a good fit to help your family recover from Hurricane Florence, I urge you to apply now.”

The cost of the STEP program is being shared by the State of North Carolina and FEMA. There is no cost to homeowners to participate in the voluntary STEP program.

For survivors who choose to participate in the STEP program, completion of STEP repairs will end their eligibility for a FEMA travel trailer or mobile home and for Transitional Sheltering Assistance to stay in a hotel.

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District by district, storm debris is getting a clean sweep

PENDER COUNTY – All storm-related vegetative debris and construction debris pick-up by DRC, the county’s contractor, has resumed following the holidays.

“The deadline was Dec. 21 for all debris to be placed on the roadway,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “The debris is being picked up district by district. Now that we are through the holidays, DRC will have 18 trucks on the roads picking up storm-related vegetative debris and construction debris.”

“Hurricane Florence left behind a tremendous amount of debris,” said George Brown, Chairman of the Pender County Board of Commissioners. “We are working hard to clean the county of storm debris.”

“We are aware of problem areas and illegal dumping,” said David Williams, Pender County Commissioner. “These sites will be cleaned, and illegal dumpers will be prosecuted.”

“Materials brought to the road right-of-way now will be considered illegal dumping,” said Collins. “Contractors dumping shingles, sheetrock, framing materials and repair debris will be fined.”

Private contractors are responsible for disposal of materials at proper landfills. Contractors and residents may also dispose of debris at the county’s convenience sites at Rocky Point, Burgaw, and Hampstead up to 200-lb. per load, per day. Debris weighing over 200-lbs are charged a weigh fee at the Hampstead Transfer Station. The Rocky Point Convenience Center 16232 NC Hwy 210, is open daily 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and closed Sundays and Wednesdays. The Burgaw Convenience Center, 3088 New Savannah Rd., is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. The Hampstead Convenience Center and Transfer Station, 250 Transfer Station Rd., is open Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sundays 1 – 7 p.m.

DRC, the county’s debris contractor, will not accept household trash, roofing materials, concrete or brick, or new construction waste.

DRC is covering the county’s five districts, starting with District 5, then District 4, District 3, District 2 and District 1. Residents uncertain of which district they reside should click on the county link: http://pendercountync.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=49a7e5ccd5834af1912665e99649c908

For questions about debris pick-up, contact DRC, toll free at 1-888-721-4372.

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Buy-out workshop set for Jan. 15

BURGAW – Pender County Planning and Community Development will host an Acquisition “Buy-out” Workshop for victims of Hurricane Florence. The meeting is set for Jan. 15, 6 – 8 p.m. in the Pender County Commissioner Chambers, 805 S. Walker St. in Burgaw.

“Attendees will learn how to apply for a buy-out through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  We’ll have industry experts as well as staff from the State in attendance to assist with our citizens’ needs and questions” said Kyle Breuer, Pender County Planning and Community Development director.

The workshop will discuss the buy-out process and Duplication of Benefits.

“This workshop will assist residents of Pender County who may be eligible for a buy-out due to flooding from Hurricane Florene,” said Breuer.

For more information call the Pender County Planning Department at 910-259-1202.

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Cape Fear Community College creates blueberry for New Year’s Eve event

BURGAW –  When Al Meadowcroft was asked to craft a blueberry, he must of thought Pender County’s tourism and parks departments were a bit crazy.

However, when Meadowcroft, the instructor of the welding program at the Cape Fear Community College Burgaw campus, learned of the purpose of the task, he and his classes were “all in.”

Cape Fear Community College welding classes designed and crafted the frame of the blueberry that will be lowered in the first New Year’s Eve Blueberry Drop.

“This program offers day and night welding classes,” said Meadowcroft. “We involved both our day and night classes.”

The class welded aluminum straps and gently formed the straps into the shape of a blueberry. The six-foot frame is light-weight at approximately 20-lbs.

“We have about 15 hours of work involved,” said Meadowcroft.

The CFCC program offers instruction on all types of welding, including stick, TIG, and MIG. It is a program that offers a full educational experience with hands-on instruction that provides students with workforce ready skills. Meadowcroft said his students find local jobs quickly.

The classes even had suggestions on how to lower the blueberry in the New Year’s countdown.

“This is a perfect example of the community working together for a family-friendly event,” said Pete Cowan, Burgaw mayor.

“We were happy to contribute to the Blueberry Drop,” said Meadowcroft.

The Blueberry Drop is sponsored by the NC Blueberry Festival, the Town of Burgaw, and Pender County. The drop will begin Dec. 31, at 5 p.m. Eaglewing, an Eagles tribute band, will perform. The countdown will take place just before 7 p.m., which is midnight on Greenwich Mean Time.

“This will be a fun event for the entire family,” said Tammy Proctor, Pender County Tourism director.

“We are excited to begin such a unique tradition here in Burgaw,” said Zachary White, Pender County Parks and Recreation Supervisor. “With this celebration we are offering our residents and visitors a unique way to ring in the new year and celebrate the local Blueberry industry.”

Al Meadowcroft, CFCC instructor
Al Meadowcroft, CFCC instructor

Pender County Parks and Rec Supervisor Zach White, welding instructor Al Meadowcroft, Welding student Joshua Roberts, and Pender County Tourism assistant Olivia Dawson.

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Pender Education Partnership offers HOPE to Pender Educators

BURGAW – Pender Education Partnership (PEP), a non-profit foundation established to enhance educational opportunities and assist public school educators, presented $10,800 to 27 Pender County staff and teachers who were impacted by Hurricane Florence.

“PEP agreed we needed to help our educators,” said Tammie Parris, interim treasurer of PEP. “We established a fund online and Dave Stipe, our president, spread the word about the great need in our school system.”

“Hurricane Florence left more than 80 Pender County staff displaced,” said Dr. Steven Hill, superintendent of Pender County Schools. “This community came together for a worthy cause to assist our staff and students.”

PEP’s fundraiser was named HOPE, Help Our Pender Educators. PEP’s goal of raising $10,000 was exceeded, thanks to the generosity of residents, businesses, and organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island and the Wilmington Kiwanis Club.

“Several directors on the PEP board were impacted by Hurricane Florence,” said Parris. “We understand the recovery process is hard. Our goal with this gift is to show our support and appreciation for our Pender County School educators and staff and to make their holiday a little brighter.”

PEP hosts the annual April Spelling Bee at Heide Trask High School, a fun-filled evening that pits good-natured competition between local businesses, teachers, and civic organizations. This year PEP will sponsor the first State of Education and Economy program on Jan. 31, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Mojo Tone in Burgaw.

Pender Education Partnership is a 501 (c) 3 foundation with a mission of providing educator mini-grants and senior scholarships. For more information visit their webpage or Facebook page or contact a board member.

Tammie Parris presents HOPE funds to Dr. Steven Hill to assist Pender County School staff who were impacted by Hurricane Florence.
Tammie Parris presents HOPE funds to Dr. Steven Hill to assist Pender County School staff who were impacted by Hurricane Florence.

Pender Education Partnership presented 27 Pender County School educators and staff with checks for $400 each

 

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New High-rise Bridge in Surf City Opens Ahead of Schedule

New High-rise Bridge in Surf City Opens Ahead of Schedule 
Bridge means quicker trips to Topsail Island SURF CITY – People heading to Surf City will be able to arrive more quickly, thanks to a new high-rise bridge that opened Tuesday nine months ahead of schedule.

The new 65-foot-high Surf City Bridge represents an improvement over the old swing bridge it replaces, as the swing bridge forced motorists to wait numerous times each day so the bridge could be opened to allow boats to pass. Traffic now can move continuously over the bridge as boats pass underneath.

“After nearly 60 years of service, the bridge reached a point where it needed to be replaced,” Bobby Lewis, chief operating officer for the N.C. Department of Transportation, told a crowd gathered for the reopening ceremony Tuesday. “With local input, NCDOT decided to build a fixed-span, high-rise bridge to better meet the needs of the community now and into the future.”

The bridge was originally scheduled to open in September 2019. But crews with NCDOT and Balfour Beatty Construction worked with the local community to accelerate the construction of the much-anticipated bridge so it could serve the community sooner.

After Tuesday’s ceremony, officials led a vehicle procession across the new bridge to officially open the 3,773-foot span between Topsail Island and the mainland. The new bridge also boasts 7.5-foot bike lanes and a 10-foot wide multi-use path.

Tuesday’s other speakers included Mike Alford, the local representative with the state Board of Transportation, Surf City Mayor Doug Medlin and Surf City Councilwoman Teresa Batson Batts.

The swing bridge, which was opened in 1955 after Hurricane Hazel, will be dismantled next year.
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