North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Three significant road projects were scheduled to begin this month in Chapel Hill:
The East Rosemary Street redevelopment project involves construction of a 1,100-space parking deck and an office building with web lab space, bringing an estimated $50 million investment and 800 jobs. UNC-Chapel Hill announced their joining of envisioned Innovation Hub-The Junction.
The project is expected to attract new entrepreneurs to the area and retain local businesses. Development of office space has remained stagnant for over a decade in Chapel Hill. Additional community benefits include increased centralized parking, new greenspaces, improved bike and pedestrian connections, and downtown jobs to support our restaurant and retail businesses.
On Aug. 23, contractors for the Estes Drive connectivity project and the Aura development started work on the sidewalk between the YMCA and Shadowood Apartments driveways.
The project reaches back to 2009 when funding was provided through the Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program to provide bicycle improvements along Estes Dr.
The Central West Small Area Plan, adopted in 2013, identified Estes Drive as a critical priority for bicycle and pedestrian improvements and recommended the implementation of protected bicycle facilities.
The third project has the Town of Chapel Hill working with the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to replace a stormwater pipe under Ephesus Church Road. This work is expected to be complete by late October. 