U.S. 421 is notoriously busy. In the city of Greensboro, it intersects with a number of important arterials. Use of 421 is particularly heavy on weekdays when commuters are making their way to and from work. Unfortunately, U.S. 421 used to have only at-grade intersections with city streets. This meant that there were a lot of accidents, including some fatalities over the years, as people negotiated these overcrowded intersections. Even when accidents weren’t occurring, the congestion was terrible. It wasn’t unusual to see five or six cars waiting at a stop sign to make a turn onto 421.
City of Greensboro officials and the NCDOT have long recognized that the at-grade intersections are a problem along U.S. 421. That’s why they have been working on projects designated as R-2612A and R-2612B. Each project deals with adding interchanges at two different intersections along 421 in Greensboro. The first of these, R-2612A, involved adding an interchange at Woody Mill Road. This project has already been completed, but now officials are turning their attention to the intersection at Neelley Road.
The NCDOT and officials from the city of Greensboro began working on these projects in earnest in 2006. Eminent domain actions began almost immediately for the interchange at Woody Mill Road. However, the process is still ongoing at Neelley Road. Construction may begin as early as 2015.
Currently, the government plans to create a half clover interchange at Neelley Road. At the completion of the project, U.S. 421 will essentially be lifted above the intersection with Neelley. This will eliminate stoplights and ease traffic flow along 421. Drivers traveling along Neelley will use an on ramp to access 421, just as drivers on 421 will have to use an exit ramp to gain access to Neelley. Additionally, the NCDOT and the city plan to connect Neelley with nearby Williams Dairy Road. At least two other intersections at Harmont Road and Hagan Stone Park Road will be closed when the project is complete.
Many people live or own a business near the location of the proposed interchange. The NCDOT and city of Greensboro are acting quickly to establish right of way in connection with this project. Some landowners have already been informed that their property will be affected. Others may be concerned that they are about to lose all or a portion of their land. People who have been contacted by a government entity about an eminent domain action deserve to have experienced legal counsel advising them of their rights.
The lawyers at Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog have several years of experience dealing with North Carolina condemnation actions. This experience makes them ideal advocates for property owners whose rights are being affected by the new interchange on U.S. 421 at Neelley Road. This project may prove to be beneficial to Greensboro from the standpoints of safety and economics. In the meantime, a number of property owners are likely to see some major changes that may be difficult to deal with.
When the government begins an eminent domain action, it can seem highly unfair to landowners. It’s not unusual to feel anger and frustration, but property owners do have certain legal rights in a condemnation action. You can protect your property rights by contacting the North Carolina eminent domain lawyers at Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog.