FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    June 12, 2001

CARY, NC – With design and bidding now complete, officials with the Town of Cary have given ST Wooten Corporation contractors the green light to begin construction on long-awaited improvements to part of NC HWY 55. The project includes traffic signal modifications at the intersection of HWY 55 and High House Road as well as about 4500 linear feet of roadway improvements beginning north of Caraway Lane and ending just north of Wellesley Trade Lane.

The $1.35 million project is set to be completed in February 2002, with development fees and contributions paying $1,102,100 (86%) of the costs and the Town kicking in $186,500 (14%) from its General Fund. The Town Council approved the intersection improvement project in November 1999 in conjunction with the site plan for the West Park Shopping Center parcel, which is located in the southeast quadrant of the intersection and is owned by Shell Oil Company.

"The improved intersection will offer a higher level of service for everyone traveling in the area," said Town of Cary Engineer and project director Susan Parker. "We’re excited about moving forward with the construction and about the other projects that will help the area."

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is currently working on a project to widen NC 55 from US 64 in Apex to Cornwallis Road in Durham County to increase the traffic capacity of NC 55. The Town of Cary has agreed to fund the $14.4 million for construction of the NC widening from US 64 to Petty Farm Road. Construction should begin in early 2003.

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