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Commissioners Fraley & Hovis - Office of Capital Improvements - To Authorize the County Manager, or his Designee, to Execute an Agreement Between the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and Gaston County for the I-85 Widening Project (TIP No. I-5719B / U-5800)
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STAFF CONTACT
Ray Maxwell, PE - Executive Director of Capital Projects - 704-862-7551
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
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BACKGROUND
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is undertaking significant improvements along Interstate 85 (I-85) in Gaston County by widening approximately ten (10) miles of I-85 from six (6) to eight (8) lanes from U.S.321 (Exit 17) in Gastonia to N.C. 273 (Exit 27) in Belmont/Mount Holly. Due to the varied and complex nature of delivering the project, NCDOT has chosen to deliver its construction in phases.
Project Phase I-5719B / U-5800 Design-Build Project adds extra lanes (from 6 to 8 lanes) to I-85, replace roadway bridges, railroad bridges, and reconstruct interchanges from NC 7 (McAdenville Road/Main Street - Exit 23) to east of NC 273 (Beatty Drive/Park Street - Exit 27), including U-5800 - Intersection improvements at NC 7 (Main St.) and US 29/74 (Wilkinson Blvd.) in Belmont, including a P&N Belmont Spur bridge, reconstruct 0.7 miles of railway, and rehabilitate the NC 273 bridge.
In recent years, NCDOT and the Gaston Cleveland Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization (GCLMPO) have worked closely with local governments, including Gaston County, and the cities of Gastonia, McAdenville, Lowell, Belmont, and Mount Holly, as well as other regional stakeholders to ensure consistent enhancements across the project scope. As a part of this collaboration, a survey was sent to the Board of County Commissioners and elected officials of municipalities along the project alignment to gather feedback and confirm that the project is in line with the priorities and concerns of local leaders. By engaging early participation by the Board of County Commissioners, NCDOT was able to incorporate feedback for the type of aesthetic improvements needed for this project. From feedback received, NCDOT prepared agreements for mid-level enhancements at interchanges and landmark improvements at Exit 27 due to its location as the entrance/gateway to Gaston County. The purpose of this Agreement is to outline the participation in project costs, delivery, and/or maintenance by Gaston County for Additional Work (betterments), as detailed further in the Agreement (Exhibit A).
The overpass improvements for this project include several aesthetic and structural enhancements, such as brick veneer on the vertical abutments, unstained concrete on various parts of the bridge including the non-traffic face of the railing, vertical face of the deck overhang, bent caps, exterior face and bottom of concrete girders, columns and wingwalls, and other landscaping and landmark improvements.
A total of $1,010,409.62 funds were budgeted in FY25 to cover the anticipated costs, and Parks, Recreation and Tourism is prepared to contribute $165,000 from reserve funds toward these aesthetic enhancements. Since funds were previously budgeted, no additional appropriations are necessary as a result of this Board Action. Approval of this Board Action authorizes the County Attorney to finalize the necessary contract documents for the work and authorizes the County Manager, or his designee, to execute said contracts on behalf of Gaston County.
NCDOT is requesting this agreement to be approved by the end of May 2025.
POLICY IMPACT
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ATTACHMENTS
DRAFT NCDOT-Gaston County Agreement - TIP Number I-5719B/U-5800; DRAFT Aesthetics Scope of Work