Featured Projects in North Carolina

Business 40 Improvement Project, Winston-Salem, NCDOT

Thinking “outside the box” is the foundation of this large roadway project, which includes the planning, design and construction of a 1.2-mile section of Business 40 through downtown Winston-Salem, including 10 bridges. A significant grassroots effort began in 2007 with a series of surveys, including door-to-door, at businesses, malls, “mom and pop” shops and on Business 40 ramps. This high-profile project garners interest from business and industry, politicians, communities and individuals; and requires extensive public outreach, education, and coordination to complete the Environmental Assessment.

SRI is involved many facets of communication on this project, specifically working with the local businesses, conducting stakeholder presentations and leading working group sessions. A considerable undertaking, SRI leads a Bridge and Design Working Group, comprised of citizens, artists, architects, and organization representatives who play an active role in selecting design preferences for the bridges and roadway components. These unique bridges will promote Winston-Salem as the “City of the Arts and Innovation”.

The project is very unique as it includes planning, design and construction, and will be a Design Build contract to be awarded in 2016. Because of the extensive and “outside the box” thinking, this project was chosen by FHWA as an example of “best practices” regarding Environmental Justice (EJ) in NEPA.

Peters Creek Parkway Feasibility Study

The City of Winston-Salem was approached to study Peters Creek Parkway (PCP) at the request of a local, organized group referred to as the Peters Creek Community Initiative (PCCI). Members of PCCI asked the City to consider ways to enhance PCP into a more pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented roadway that would jumpstart more attractive development and land uses. Our firm took the lead on conducting the public outreach efforts. We met with PCCI initially to understand their vision and goals, then expanded our outreach to the business and residential communities along PCP. We continue to work closely with the PCCI and other stakeholders through work sessions and meetings to ensure that the proposed plans meet their needs and goals, to accommodate both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in future years. In addition to the stakeholder meetings, SRI also conducts presentations and public workshops, develops materials and works closely with the City and NCDOT to ensure transparency.

Johnson Street/Sandy Ridge Road Improvement Project, City of High Point

The “story” of this project is told in its logo, created by a local high school student who won a logo contest coordinated by SRI. The logo is used on all materials, website and notifications, and has become the identity of this roadway improvement project. SRI leads all public involvement and outreach efforts, including establishing and working with a Community Advisory Committee and Agency Steering Committee, preparing for and participating in a NEPA Educational Session, developing a project website and other materials and graphics, making presentations with local property owners and stakeholders and conducting events. SRI’s involvement will ensure that this project is community-based and supported, involving the public through the planning and design phases.

Transportation Development Plan, Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST)

Bigger isn’t always better. Though small in size, the Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) made big strides in improving its bus system by conducting a thorough review of its current system. SRI was fortunate to work with FAST and lead the public outreach efforts. To determine the needs of the homeless and transit-dependent riders, as well as resource agencies whose clients use the bus, SRI participated in a Homeless Connect event. The information gathered from this event was relayed to FAST, who took notes and made some changes. Our firm also interviewed stakeholders with a bus-oriented client base to determine their immediate and future needs. We also participated in bus operator interviews and coordinated a public open house to obtain comments and suggestions on how to improve the system. It was a very rewarding experience for our firm, not only because of what we learned, but because of how sincere FAST was in wanting to make changes to benefit the customer.

Surf City Bridge Replacement, NCDOT

This project includes the replacement of the existing steel truss swing span bridge that was built in the 1950’s. Working with the local beach community and part-time residents proved challenging because of the differing viewpoints and sentiments. Through several public meetings, SRI and the project team were able to develop alternatives in response to their needs. Although time consuming, our Team was able to accommodate the needs of the community by working together and generating consensus. Other tasks conducted by SRI included meeting presentations, website assistance and development of public comment reports, newsletters, handouts and other print materials.

Other interesting projects that Ms. Simon has worked on during her career include the new Winston-Salem Urban Circulator, Concord and Greensboro’s Transit Development Plans, Hong Kong Airport Master Plan in Chep Lap Kok, Denver Airport EIS, Kennedy Drawbridge PD&E, Tampa-Ybor Streetcar, Hillsborough County Local Action Plan, South County Corridor Study, Hillsborough County Constrained Roads Study, Florida Statewide Regional Transit Needs Assessment and Wilson Boulevard Extension/Benfield Road Corridor Study.

Please contact our office if you would like to know more about how we contributed to these projects.