Wednesday, Aug. 04, 2010

Extension could spur growth

Leaders hope Timber Drive corridor will ease traffic

When Timber Drive extends from N.C. 50 to the White Oak shopping center, a swath of east Garner could transform from thick woods into a bustling commercial zone, town leaders say.

They've waited a long time for this.

"It opens up a whole new corridor," said Garner Councilman Buck Kennedy.

Construction is set to start this summer on the 1.5-mile extension, and work could take until the fall of 2012.

Town officials are hoping that retail stores, medical offices and new homes will crop up along the new stretch of road, said Tony Beasley, Garner's economic-development director.

Also, because the four-lane road will create a straight shot from White Oak Crossing to Raleigh, it could ease traffic on U.S. 70 as commuters from Johnston County and southeast Wake head to and from work.

"That's what it was about - the convenience of getting into Raleigh," said Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams.

In 1992, the N.C. Department of Transportation built Timber Drive from N.C. 50 to the point where Hammond Road meets U.S. 70. Since then, Timber Drive has sprouted lots of development.

A shopping center that is home to Kroger, Target, Home Depot, Chick-fil-A and others sprang up at Timber Drive and U.S. 70. Tom Jones Pharmacy opened at the intersection with Vandora Springs Road. Two other pharmacies and a strip plaza are at the intersection with Aversboro Road.

And another plaza, which includes a Food Lion and a McDonald's, sits at the intersection with N.C. 50.

"It was a project we were looking for a long time," said Frank Powell, the town's engineer. "It's been pretty successful."

For years, the town pressed the transportation department to extend the road east. Now, they hope the extension of Timber Drive will prove just as alluring to developers as the original road.

Beasley said he thinks the corner of N.C. 50 and the new Timber Drive could be the first area to see growth. Developers have already expressed interest, he said.

The corner where Timber Drive meets White Oak Road, near Logan's Roadhouse, will likely be popular too, Beasley said.

But he said residents shouldn't expect to see another massive retail development like White Oak spring up overnight. Development will surely be in phases, he said.

And property owners would have to be willing to sell their land to developers. Many owners donated some of their land to make way for the new road.

Williams said he would welcome any new businesses that want to make Timber Drive their home. When the original Timber Drive was built more than 15 years ago, new development allowed Garner residents to stay in town to shop instead of going elsewhere. Williams hopes the Timber Drive extension will have the same effect.

"I'd like to see anything that makes shopping more convenient," he said.