How many roads?

Published 11:02 pm Tuesday, September 22, 2009

After holding two meetings with North Suffolk residents and business owners on potential street name changes for College Drive and Townpoint Road, the city’s planning department still is considering renaming portions of the roads.

City officials hope to clear up discontinuity in the area’s roads caused by the construction of Interstate 664 and nearby arteries.

During a periodic review of city’s road system, city officials identified five different sections of Townpoint Road and three different sections of College Drive, all disjointed from one another.

Email newsletter signup

The roads were severed during the construction of Interstate 664 and the Western Freeway, said Scott Mills, director of planning and community development.

Townpoint Road’s five sections include one between Pughsville Road and Bridge Road; one between Harbour View Boulevard and the city line with Portsmouth; two different, disconnected sections in the Huntersville community; and a small cul-de-sac north of Bridge Road.

The three sections of College Drive include the old alignment, in the Wynnewood community; the new alignment, mostly adjacent to the old; and a smaller section south of and disconnected from the first alignment.

City officials held meetings in the area to get the feedback of business owners and residents in the area. The first, held Sept. 14, was meant for those along the “new” Townpoint Road. Though that meeting was not well attended, city officials did receive calls from business owners who had “understandable” concerns, Mills said.

A second session was held Sept. 21 at the regular meeting of the Huntersville Civic League. About 20 people were in attendance, said Tim Davis, who works with the planning department.

“Their reaction was they understand there was a need for a change,” Davis said.

Gerri Norman, the president of the Huntersville Civic League, said the city’s proposal “made a lot of sense.”

“I don’t think that we’re really being affected on it, as far as the Townpoint Road that we’re on,” Norman said.

Mills said the conflicts should be addressed to provide better service by public safety personnel and delivery of goods and services.

The planning department now is preparing a report for City Council, which ultimately will make the decision on what to do.