Cary NC Real Estate Blog: July 2007

Southern Section of I-540 Now Open

In the Triangle the new Outer Beltline, called I-540, has been under construction and in the works for years.  Up until this past week there have been two sections that are opened.  The first section North of Raleigh.  The second section extended the northern loop all the way to the intersection of Highway 64 and 264 near Knightdale.

The new section is located on the southern side of the intersection with Interstate 40, although not without some problems and controversy over the project. Commuters in the area can now take the new southern portion of the I-540 stretch to connect to Davis Drive, Highway 54, or Highway 55 just past Research Triangle P ark (RTP).  The four lane highway extends I-540 another  five miles and it dead-ends at the Highway 55 exit. 

Toll Road or No Road

The proposal to make new parts of 540 south of the current end of the road has been controversial.  Proponents of a toll road on yet to be built southern loop portions of 540 to Garner and Apex say it would bring in much needed funding for the project, allowing it to be built much sooner than if paid for by regular highway funds.  Those opposed to the toll road that would connect many southern Wake County communities to RTP and Interstate 40 via the highway say it's not fair.  Opponents ask why their portion of 540 would be a toll road while drivers on the northern Raleigh section of 540 do not have to pay anything at all.

In addition, there are currently no operating toll roads in the entire state of North Carolina.  As such, there is a lot of reluctance on the part of state legislators to approve a toll road that would tax drivers who are predominantly North Carolina citizens, rather than drivers who are "passing through" the state.
The 540 opening also has some drivers miffed about a change to the exit ramp from the northern Raleigh portions of 540 onto Interstate 40. 

I spent the 4^th of July in Pinehurst, North Carolina this year.  My Raleigh Racket Club Tennis Team won the USTA 4.5 Raleigh USTA championships and qualified for the State Championship in Pinehurst.  It's a hard act to follow after the US Open Women's Golf Tournament at Pine Needles.  What an exciting tournament! 

Most of the players stayed at the infamous Pinehurst Inn.   I didn't make my reservations in time but opted for my favorite Bed & Breakfast in the Village called the Magnolia Inn. 

Most families don't realize that Pinehurst/Southern Pines Golf Courses are just 1 Hour away from Cary/Apex and an 1 Hour and a half from N. Raleigh/Chapel Hill.  I can head down for a slow round of golf out the Triangle and still make it back for dinner w/the family. 

On the other hand, I decided I'd spend the 4^th in Pinehurst.  There were a couple of fireworks displays in the area:

1) At the "Horse Country Area"

2) Pinehurst Inn decided to have their own exhibition.   

We had matches at a couple of facilities around town.  Here is list of the current tennis facilities in Pinehurst/Southern Pines since most folks want to know where the golf courses are located:

Beacon Ridge Country Club - Take NC 211 toward Candor and drive 9.8 miles through West End to traffic light at 7 Lakes Drive.   Turn left to Beacon Ridge community gate. Guard will provide directions to courts.

Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) Tennis Facility - Take US15/501 south 2.0 miles to second traffic light (Morganton Road).  Turn right and travel 0.5 miles; gate to CCNC is on left side of Morganton Road across from the Lawn and Tennis Club of North Carolina. Guard will provide directions to tennis courts.

Mid-Pines Tennis Facility - Take NC 2 east 2.7 miles to traffic light at Pee Dee Road. Continue on NC 2 another 0.6 miles and turn right at the entrance to Mid-Pines Inn. Follow sign to tennis courts.

National Golf Club - Take NC2 east 0.5 miles to National Golf Club gate on right side of road. Guard will provide directions to tennis courts.

New Century Middle School Courts - Take US 15/501 north. Travel 10.4 miles to stop lights (just passed Advanced Auto and Exxon Station on left). Take far right turn onto Union Church Road, pass White Hen motel and restaurant on right, and travel approximately 3 miles. School is on left side of road.

The O'Neal School Courts - Take NC 2 east, immediately bear left and turn left on Airport Road toward Whispering Pines. Travel 2.9 miles to entrance to O'Neal School on left side of Airport Road across from the Sandhills Community College campus. Courts are in back of school.

Pinecrest High School Courts - Take US 15/501 south 1.6 miles to first light and turn left into high school area. Travel 0.7 miles to last entrance to the school parking area and John Williams Athletic Complex on the right side of road. Tennis courts are within walking distance south of the parking area.

Pinehurst Resort #6 Courts - Take US 15/501 north 0.8 miles to second traffic light. Turn right into Pinehurst #6 golf community and the tennis courts are on your left.

I hope you have fun playing tennis, golf, horse back riding, or whatever activities that you might enjoy in the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area.  

I'm looking forward to my next visit.