Long-awaited Glensford connector opens in Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- After three decades of planning and four years of construction, the long-awaited Glensford Drive connector is now open to drivers in Fayetteville.
Late Friday morning, NCDOT crews removed barrels where Glensford meets Raeford and Hope Mills Roads. The first driver to access the road turned into Glensford around 11:30 a.m. Just after noon, all four lanes opened.
The four lane, 1.4 mile stretch runs from Raeford Road through the Montclair neighborhood and into the city's main shopping district that includes Cross Creek Mall.
Construction began in 2012, and the project was originally set for completion last year.
The ongoing construction has caused concern for businesses, as well as Montclair neighbors because the neighborhood was used as a detour route for many years, and round-a-bouts were placed throughout the neighborhood.
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Fayetteville city councilman Jim Arp, who represents the Montclair district, looked on Friday as crews opened the roadway.
He believes the route is a step in the right direction to alleviate congestion on other roads. As long as drivers don't speed through Montclair, he doesn't believe neighbors will be disrupted any further.
"If we can keep the trucks out of here and the speed limit [at 35 mph], it shouldn't be a problem for the people living in Montclair," Arp said.
NCDOT crews will remain on-site for several weeks as they complete landscaping work connected to the project.
