Opinions about four proposed highway projects are so diverse that local "stakeholder" groups will be formed to address the issues related to these projects.

The projects are the N.C. 24-27 bypass of Carthage, the N.C. 211 connector, improvements to N.C. 211 near West End and a U.S. 1 bypass of Southern Pines and Aberdeen.

County Planning Director Joey Raczkowski told the Moore County Board of Commissioners at a Sept. 7 meeting that the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has tapped the county's Department of Planning and Community Development to serve as lead agency.

Raczkowski said his department will coordinate with local jurisdictions to identify stakeholders to collect consensus on specific projects and develop a final recommendation for incorporation into the comprehensive transportation plan (CTP).

"This is only a concept plan," Raczkowski said.

Commissioner Jimmy Melton, who represents the board on the Moore County Transportation Committee, said the plan, once adopted, will affect the county for the next 30 to 50 years.

"This is long past due," Melton said. "This has always been a touchy subject throughout the county. The public is being urged to participate because it will affect everybody in the county. Hopefully, we can agree on something."

The CTP is defined as a multi-modal transportation plan that evaluates the needs and deficiencies of the transportation network with focus on such elements as roadway, bicycle, pedestrian and public transit (including rail). The idea is to update the official thoroughfare plan and provide guidance for future decisions on transportation project priorities.

Raczkowski said he hopes to develop a website to keep interested parties informed of the group's progress.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at florence@thepilot.com.