As Charlotte's population grows, residents can expect more road contruction to try and ease traffic congestion. | Shutterstock
As Charlotte's population grows, residents can expect more road contruction to try and ease traffic congestion. | Shutterstock
The population of the Charlotte area is expected to increase 50% by 2050, from the current 3 million to 4.5 million, and with that growth will come growing pains from road construction, according to WCNC Charlotte.
Owners of businesses that rely on foot traffic have been frustrated by the construction projects.
"Things are hard (and) construction has definitely made it harder," Mary Hamby, owner of Twenty Two West on Tuckaseegee Road, which sells handmade jewelry and home decor, told WCNC Charlotte. "If you get caught the wrong side of the construction, you can spend quite a bit of time trying to navigate around."
The intersection near her business is where Tuckaseegee, Berryhill and Thrift connect. The city of Charlotte is replacing the intersection with a five-legged roundabout. Crosswalks, sidewalks, landscaping and decorative lighting will also be added.
After experiencing several delays, the intersection will be open at limited capacity in the next couple of weeks until its expected completion date in June. Local business owners believe that part will be the first step in getting traffic and business flowing back into the neighborhood.
"My hope is that once the construction is done, we have that beautiful roundabout and corridor is connected again," Hamby told WCNC Charlotte. "It's been a really supportive, welcoming community for my business."
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