Howie favors the road, and says he hopes congestion will ease on Providence. Others agree, and add that major roads like Rea accelerate development at the same time they temporarily ease congestion. It's going to bring more development. The relief from traffic will be temporary. Cravens says he expects Rea Road to carry about 10,000 cars a day when it opens and 35,600 a day by 2020.
Developers plan hundreds more houses in the area.
Another 158 lots were platted in 2000. Charlotte developer Mel Graham is planning more than 400 houses in Longview South, a subdivision that will exit onto Rea Road. He has said he plans to begin building the subdivision after the road opens. He's also asking for the Marvin Town Council to allow him the town's first-ever commercial zoning for a planned office park near the road. It will open up that whole area.