Contact: Bill Crabtree
Telephone: 919-554-6196 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
FRANKLIN STREET RIBBON CUTTING SET FOR FRIDAY
WAKE FOREST, NC – August 29, 2005 – Local dignitaries from the Town of Wake Forest and the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will mark the opening of the new section of Franklin Street with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, September 2 at 10 a.m.
The new half-mile section of Franklin Street, which is situated between the NC 98 bypass and Holding Avenue, is the first constructive phase of the Renaissance Plan and is considered the newest gateway to downtown Wake Forest.
According to Deputy Town Manager Roe O’Donnell, the new section foreshadows several other exciting changes that will unfold in Wake Forest over the next few years.
“It’s all a part of the continuing story of renewal and development throughout Wake Forest,” said O’Donnell. “This new section of Franklin Street points the way to our downtown area which will experience several road enhancements in the coming years.”
O’Donnell noted that the construction of the new roundabout at the junction of South Main Street (US 1-A) and South Avenue (NC 98) is scheduled to begin during the end of September and should be completed by the end of November. Additionally, a major resurfacing project is set to get underway in early October for the following areas:
- NC 98 bypass down South Main Street;
- South Avenue to Front Street;
- North Avenue to North Main Street;
- North Main Street to Harris Road.
The resurfacing project which was originally expected to be finished by the end of this year is now projected to be finished in the Spring of 2006.
The second phase of the Renaissance Plan road building project will occur along South Franklin Street and will include two new roundabouts at the junctions of Holding Avenue and Franklin Street and Elm Avenue and Franklin Street.
O’Donnell says the Franklin Street upgrades will feature the construction of a new median, sidewalks, and heavy landscaping giving the area a look “somewhat similar” to North Main Street in the historic district.
O’Donnell also reported that upon completion of the South Main Street widening project from Capital Boulevard to Harris Road, the NCDOT will resurface South Main Street from Capital Boulevard to the NC 98 bypass. The resurfacing project is expected to begin in the Spring of 2006.
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For more information, contact Roe O’Donnell, Town of Wake Forest Deputy Town Manager at (919) 554-6121.