Franklin County, August 17, 2017: Franklin County will see the benefit of a number of projects now that the North Carolina Board of Transportation has approved the 10-year (2018-2027) State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP).
Funding will assist with several transformational projects including the NCDOT Division of Aviation allocation of $10,890,000 to Triangle North Executive Airport (TNEA) and the widening of US 401 to a four-lane highway.
“The support from NCDOT and NCDOT Division of Aviation for Franklin County provides us with the resources to take significant steps forward for our businesses and citizens,” stated Franklin County Board Chairman Cedric K. Jones.
“The allocation to Triangle North Executive Airport will allow us to create more buildable space for additional hangars as well as be able to extend the runway and take larger aircraft to carry passengers and freight,” commented Steve Merritt, Triangle North Executive Airport Manager. The county will be required to provide some matching funds bringing the total value of this allocation plus the match to $12,200,000.
Triangle North Executive Airport has 60 jobs and the impact of this expansion is projected to grow that number to 120 for both direct and indirect jobs. TNEA houses 131 planes currently with an annual economic impact of $23,000,000.
The approved funding for widening US 401 now provides this corridor not only with improved safety, but also more direct access to multiple transportation routes important for attracting and retaining businesses. This project has been identified as Section C of US 401 and has long been a request by the citizens of Louisburg and Franklin County.
Additional commitment by NCDOT to now take US 401 widening all the way into Louisburg, named Section D of US 401, will transform access for this area of Franklin County. “With the ongoing growth of Franklin County, it is important that we plan for safe, effective transportation,” stated County Manager Angela L. Harris. “The widening of US 401 has been a project that has been important to us for many, many years and we are delighted to see it moving forward.”
Contact: Richie Duncan Economic Development Director Phone: (919) 554-1863 Fax: (919) 554-1781
228 Park Avenue Youngsville, NC 27596 www.franklincountync.us FRANKLIN COUNTY
“When completed, the US 401 expansion will provide Franklin County with another four-lane north-south thoroughfare, giving the county and region the infrastructure it needs for growth,” said Economic Development Director Richie Duncan.
In addition to these projects, several others were included in the 10-year plan including:
US 401-39 (Bickett Blvd), NC 56/581 (Nash Street) to SR 1229 (Main Street) widening to multi-lanes Intersection improvement from Holden Road at US 1Alt, NC 96 Access management from East Nash St to Burke Blvd to replace 5 lane facility with 4 lane facility including planted median, sidewalks and bike lane US 98, NC 98 – upgrade existing at grade intersection to interchange From Main St to Camille Circle at Luddy Park construct shared use path, crosswalks
For additional information, please contact Richie Duncan, Franklin County Economic Development Director, at (919) 554-1863.
Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.