In initial studies, engineers had identified eight to 10 alternatives, ranging from building a tunnel to using existing roads as a bypass. But they decided all were either impractical or too costly. Ted Johnson, executive director of the airport, said engineers will give the alternatives a closer look and put firm price tags to them. Within two or three weeks, PTI should be providing Guilford County planners with a list of alternative routes and prices for each, Johnson said. Paying for a bypass could be a problem.
Several steps remain before the road can be closed.
Next month, the state Board of Transportation will vote whether to follow the commissioner's recommendation Thursday that the state stop maintaining the road, the first step in closing the road. Then, the Guilford County Planning Board would consider a petition to actually close the road, with an appeal possible to the county commission. In the case of such an appeal, County Attorney Jonathan Maxwell said commissioners would have the ultimate authority to decide if the road is closed. The directive to find an alternate route for Regional Road emerged from a Thursday evening public hearing that the commissioners held on PTI's request to close a half-mile section of the road. Foes of the road closing urged commissioners to keep it open, arguing that it was foolish to close such a heavily used road.