Affordable housing, outstanding schools, and low taxes. These are three of the reasons for explosive growth in Union County. But lower taxes are raising important questions about how to fund major road improvements. In this Defend Charlotte report, we’re taking a look at how the Crown Town Effect could change one family’s century-old farm.
Vivian Chaney’s family has owned their farm since 1901. But a road project called the Monroe Bypass could change that farm forever. “I’ve got 13 acres and now they want to take my front yard,” says Chaney.
The nearly 20-mile stretch of highway would allow drivers to bypass traffic just north of US 74, from Stallings to Marshville. NCDOT says it will ease congestion. Marshville Mayor Frank Deese hopes it will increase access. “With access comes opportunity, economic opportunity,” says Mayor Deese. “Opportunity for investment. Opportunity for people.”
It’s one of several projects intended to improve the flow of traffic in Union County. Census data shows the county has grown 66 percent in the last 12 years.
“I think transportation is always an issue,” says UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Associate Director Mary Newsom. “especially when you have rapid growth like Union County.” Newsom says that growth has been a result of good schools, affordable housing, and low taxes. “Nobody wants to pay taxes, but everybody needs the services that only a government can provide that pays for with taxes, like streets and roads” Newsom adds.
But those roads need work in Union County. A plan to extend Rea Road past Providence Road South to Weddington Road is scheduled to begin in 2017. A three-section plan to widen Old Monroe Road from Matthews to Indian Trail begins in 2018. But, like many things in Union County, there is a clash between new and old. “I think it’s a waste of time,” says Wingate resident Vivian Chaney. “I think they should make it somewhere else.”
NCDOT is waiting on word about the Monroe Bypass. And so is Vivian Chaney. “I don’t think there’s any need for this road right now,” she adds.
The Crown Town Effect… sending a ripple effect to Wingate and all of Union County.
Transportation planners in the Charlotte area say the time line for those NCDOT projects are subject to change.
