Crews recently finished work on eight ride-share lots located along major routes in five western counties, according to an announcement from the N.C. Department of Transportation. The lots will provide motorists who are sharing the ride through carpooling or van-pooling with a designated location to leave their cars. The locations were chosen based on commuter traffic patterns, as well as input from the local rural planning organization.

In addition to the completed lots, plans are under way for the renovation of an existing lot in Madison County on I-26 at Exit 11, as well as for the construction of a new lot at the Buncombe and Henderson County line on N.C. 280, and on Future I-26 at Exit 17 near Weaverville.

The cost for developing each lot is also listed.

Jackson County
• U.S. 23/441 and Old Franklin Road in Dillsboro – 17 spaces - $8,577
• N.C. 107 and Old N.C. 107 in Cullowhee – 10 spaces - $76,037

Haywood County
• I-40 at Exit 33 for Newfound Road at the intersection with Laurel Drive Road in North Canton – 26 spaces - $207,768

Macon County
• U.S. 64/74 at the intersection with Sloan Road in Franklin – 13 spaces - $58,846
• U.S. 23/441 at Sanderstown Road in North Franklin – 22 spaces - $67,858

Swain County
• U.S. 74 at Exit 64 in Bryson City at the intersection with Alarka Road – 10 spaces - $32,332
• U.S. 74 at Exit 67 in Bryson City at the intersection with Veterans Boulevard – 10 spaces - $16,727

Transylvania County
• U.S. 64 at the intersection with U.S. 178 in Rosman – 14 spaces - $77,989

The final cost of each lot varied depending on the lot’s location, size and the amount of work necessary for completion.

Ride-sharing allows drivers to save money on commuting and reduces congestion and pollution by taking cars off the road. The DOT project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

To learn more about ride-sharing and to join or a start a car or van-pool near you, visit www.sharetheridenc.org, a free, statewide, commuter-matching program.

For more information on public transportation in North Carolina, visit www.ncdot.gov/nctransit and select your county or city under “Statewide Local Transit Information.”Read the full article