FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 2000

CARY, NC –Officials will gather at 9:30 AM today for the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the first section of Louis Stephens Drive which, when all section are complete, will run nearly seven miles from Cary to Research Triangle Park, providing another much-needed north-south corridor to relieve the overburdened Davis Drive and NC Highway 55. Today’s ceremony will take place on the northern portion of the 1.1-mile completed section in front of the new Green Hope Elementary School and will feature refreshments, remarks, and a special ribbon cutting highlighted by the Green Hope High School marching band.

"This roadway will play a significant role in addressing long-term transportation needs to and from the Park as well as handling short-term traffic issues for the school and the Town’s future tennis center," said Town of Cary Engineer Russ Overton, manager of the project.

The roadway was named for Louis Stephens, a former chairman of the Research Triangle Foundation.

At just over one mile, the construction project cost the Town about $1.3 million. This year, Cary has budgeted more than $15 million for transportation improvements including roadway widening, greenways, and bikeways. Cary has budgeted about $500 million transportation improvements over the next 10 years.

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