The City of Gastonia, in conjunction with the City of Lowell and Gaston County, has submitted a grant proposal package for $18,110,358 to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s BUILD program. BUILD stands for Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development.
If awarded, the funds would be used to construct a new roadway network from Cox Road, going west, to NC Highway 7 to the north. That would provide access to approximately 400 acres of infill property with superior accessibility to the I-85 corridor.
At an estimated cost of $29,934,938 City of Gastonia officials believe the Lineberger Connector Project will have a positive impact on transportation in the region and bolster economic development as well. “This is a great opportunity for the region and our cities to grow our economy, create jobs and save lives,” said Gastonia City Manager Michael Peoples. “This project has the potential to create the county’s largest collective industrial development tax base.”
The USDOT will announce the BUILD grants in September of this year.
Key Benefits of the Lineberger Connector Project
- Project is completely within a federally designated Opportunity Zone.
- Project will stimulate approximately $322.5 million in project value for the Greater Gaston area.
- More than 10,000 new jobs will be created.
- Allows construction of more than 4.9 million square feet of manufacturing, distribution center, industrial and warehousing facilities.
- Supports supply chain for distribution and manufacturing directly to Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Intermodal Center via I-85.
- Improves at-grade crossing over Norfolk Southern Railroad, south of the proposed connection to NC 7.
- The property owner has contracted with NorthPoint Development for the purchase and improvement of the property www.beyondthecontract.com.
