Many of us have seen the incredible increase of time it takes to drive from Providence Road on 485 to past Johnston Road in the past three weeks since the Rea Road extension opened. This was BEFORE school opened.

We have also seen the signs alluding to the fact that work is going to be done to fix this in the next 20 years.

This morning was the final straw when it took 40 minutes to drive the 3 and a half miles from Providence to past 485. Please remember the good old days before they opened Rae Road and blocked off a lane Johnston Road for no reason (except to give the cop in the green Crown Vic a reason to ticket frustrated motorists - which is how they are probably paying for this road) when it took 6 or 7 minutes to go through that bottleneck which started PAST Rea Rd. Well this has changed and I would appreciate it if you would call the chief engineer responsible for this mess.

He is in Albermarle and his name is "Mr Paine" - great name. The project engineer under him is Tim Boland, also in Albemarle. A Rick Baucom handles the day to day work (mess), and he is in Matthews at 845-1151. The number in Albemarle is 704-982-0101.

Honestly, this situation has turned into an aggrivating disaster and if Mr. Payne were to receive calls from victims of this mess, maybe he will get off his asset in Albemarle and take a ride on this road during the AM drive time. Hopefully, he won't get stopped by our friendly cop.

FYI, he already has received 4 calls that of know of since this morning.

Thanks, John

 

Don't 'cha just love traffic engineers?!

The lead engineer probably got a merit bonus for that project.

 

John,

I have to admit it has continually worsened over the past few weeks, but Monday and today is as bad as I have seen it. At least they fixed the ramps at Providence. When I got on at Providence this morning it as if it was backed up to Monroe Rd. Something needs to be done.

Jim