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WINDSOR – A two-year effort to build a long range, needs-based transportation plan over the next 25-to-30 years will have to wait a few weeks longer to gain the approval of the Bertie County Board of Commissioners.

At their regularly scheduled meeting here April 7, the board tabled the decision to approve the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). The board said they needed further discussion about the plan, which is a final draft, before making a decision to approve or disapprove.

While the plan, updated from one developed and approved 12 years ago, does propose several major projects, it appears that the sticking point is NCDOT’s recommendation to construct a roundabout at the NC 11 / NC 308 intersection at Lewiston Woodville. Traffic at that busy intersection is currently controlled by using a four-way stop.

“There’s a lot of 18-wheelers [using that intersection],” said Commissioner Ron Roberson. “I don’t believe a roundabout will work well there because of the large trucks that passed through going to Perdue (processing plant) and other places. I say leave it like it is.”

For Bertie’s newest CTP, a steering committee (comprised of stakeholders from different towns and other representatives) met frequently since March of 2023 to help develop the plan. NCDOT performed an engineering analysis and hosted two public review sessions.

The most significant project within Bertie’s CTP calls for transforming the US 17 corridor through the county from a four-lane divided highway to interstate standards and designating the road as I-87.

There are two other major projects proposed within the CTP: upgrading US 13 from Windsor to NC 42 at Powellsville (a total of 16.86 miles) to a multi-lane freeway; and widening NC 11 to a four-lane divided highway from NC 903 in Martin County to the US 13 Bypass north of Ahoskie.

Another proposed major project is NC 45. Along that route, the plan recommends the widening of the existing two lanes as well as widening the shoulders. The proposed scope of work, if approved, totals 21.75 miles from the Bertie-Washington County line to the town limits of Colerain.

Additionally, the CTP recommends other improvements to aid pedestrians. There are additions to six sidewalks in the town of Windsor (in the area of Rhodes Ave. and Pintail Drive; along US 17 to the Windsor Oaks neighborhood; at the Windsor-Edenton Loop to US 17; from Rascoe St. to East Granville St.; along Carsons Alley; and from US 17 Business to Windsor Elementary School). There are three sidewalk additions proposed in Colerain (from Academy St. to Etheridge Road; from NC 45 to a proposed new park; and one connecting downtown to a proposed community building). Sidewalk additions are recommended in Lewiston Woodville (along Church St.); Askewville (from White Oak Road to the pre-school building); Aulander (connecting the tennis courts, community building, church, and library); and in Powellsville (along NC 42, South Commerce St., Curtis St., Wynns St., and Snow Ave.).

There’s also a proposed greenway in downtown Windsor, connecting Livermon Park & Mini Zoo, the Roanoke-Cashie River Center, and the Cashie River Walk.

Adoption of the plan by the Bertie Commissioners is just the first step. The CTP must also gain the approval of the Peanut Belt Rural Planning Organization (RPO) and the State Board of Transportation.

NCDOT develops a CTP for each county across the state. For the one in Bertie County, the development is aided by the Peanut Belt RPO, Bertie local government, county municipalities, community stakeholders, and the public.

NCDOT officials advise that this is a high-level plan and not a final design. A CTP is put in place prior to projects being prioritized and funded.