RALEIGH ––The N.C. Turnpike Authority, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), today released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Monroe Connector/Bypass project. The Final EIS confirms selection of the route’s preferred alternative and addresses comments received on the Draft EIS. Final federal approval of the route is expected this summer when the FHWA issues its Record of Decision.
As the environmental planning process nears completion, the Turnpike Authority is moving forward with securing a design-build team to complete the project. Under the design-build method, design and construction of a project are completed by a single team to help expedite completion and reduce overall costs.
The Turnpike Authority advertised the project on April 15. Statements of Qualifications from seven interested design-build teams were received on May 13. The Turnpike Authority expects to short-list to three firms this summer and announce the selected team this fall. The Final Plan of Finance is scheduled to be complete late this year, and upon successful financial close, a contract will be awarded in December.
The Monroe Connector/Bypass is a toll road that will run 19.7 miles from U.S. 74 at I-485 in eastern Mecklenburg County to U.S. 74 near the Town of Marshville in Union County. The preliminary estimated project cost is between $749 to $824 million. For additional information, see the attached fact sheet.
The Final EIS is available on the Monroe Connector/Bypass project Web site at www.ncturnpike.org/projects/monroe. By June, hard copies will be at the following locations: the Monroe, Indian Trail, Stallings and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Departments; the Monroe, Edwards Memorial, Matthews Branch and Union West libraries; the Turnpike Authority office in Raleigh and the NCDOT Division 10 office in Albemarle.
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Reid Simons
Director of Government and Public Affairs
North Carolina Turnpike Authority
919-523-1662 cell
5400 Glenwood Avenue, Ste. 400
Raleigh, NC 27612
phone: 919-788-7152
fax: 919-571-3015
121 W. Trade Street, Ste. 2050
Charlotte, NC 28202
phone: 704-208-5348
