Hebron Road
Hebron Road is not FEMA eligible because it is a Federal Aid Route (part of the Federal Highway Administration or FHWA). This means timelines, requirements, and documentation are all different than the rest of our hurricane-related projects. For example, this project took priority over Davis Mountain Road and Sunny Ridge Road because of a stricter completion timeline which we applied and received an extension for. The Town is working with NCDOT and their subcontractors to have all the required information submitted to FHWA prior to the end of September of 2027. This does not mean construction of these sites will be completed by then, although we do hope they will be completed by late fall of 2027.
As of today, the environmental document, initial surveys and our initial site designs are complete. This will enable us to move forward with culvert design, and easement acquisition. NCDOT hopes to have the final design package completed and sent for approval by FHWA in December 2026. Once the final design is approved by FHWA, then the project will be advertised to contractors, and bids will be received with the goal of having a contractor available to start construction on the embankment reconstructions and culvert replacements by early spring of 2027 once the weather starts to improve.
If all goes well, a contractor should be able to complete repairs to all five damages in one construction season, again completing the work by late fall of 2027. Once completed, the stretch of Hebron Road that has been closed for two years will reopen.
Davis Mountain and Sunny Ridge Roads
The Town signed a mutual aid agreement with NCDOT for their assistance on the pre-construction work on these roads. This is helping the Town immensely with cashflow and with engineering resources. FEMA granted a two-year extension for the damages on Davis Mountain and Sunny Ridge Roads. With the additional time as compared to the Hebron Road one-year extension, the initial design work was delayed in order to meet the deadline on Hebron Road.
However, most of the initial surveys have been completed and the environmental document is in draft form and under review by NCDOT. Later this fall through early winter, we will start the initial design development process.
Final environmental reviews will be completed in May of 2027. We also hope to complete final designs by late spring and start easement acquisition by early summer.
If all goes well, we hope to have a contractor available to start construction by late summer of 2027 with completion of the five damages (embankment reconstructions and culvert replacements) during the construction season of 2028.
Status of Parks
Laurel Green Park repairs are approximately 85% complete. Final steps include finishing plantings and repairing the fence at the Wash Creek Drive Culvert (which is separate from the general park project and is in the initial planning phase). Remaining tasks for the culvert include design, bidding, contractor selection, and construction.
Rhododendron Lake Nature Parkās design phase is approximately 15% complete. Remaining tasks include finalizing the design, bidding, contractor selection, and construction.
Park Debris Removal Amounts T0-Date
- Laurel Green Park: 86.8 Tons (173,600 lbs.)
- Rhododendron Lake Nature Park: 89.2 Tons (178,400 lbs.). This amount excludes the dredging and trenching of the lake itself which is filled with sediments and storm debris.
- Glenn Rock Springs: 80.3 Tons (160,600 lbs.)
- Total Debris Removed: 256.3 Tons (512,600 lbs.)
Why Couldnāt the Town Use Volunteers for Park Debris Removal or Repairs?
Working with FEMA has given us the opportunity to apply for hazard mitigation funding which allows us to improve the long-term resilience of the parks. In order to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we've had to work within FEMA's structure and select qualified contractors per their procurement requirements.