2006

Closed two years ago, Fikewood reconnects

Slugline Publication Date Section(s) Page Byline fikewood street work The Wilson Daily Times August 11, 2006 Local News A1

By Matthew Shaw Daily Times Staff Writer A short section of pavement will make a big difference to Fikewood Street residents, especially during emergencies, a Wilson County commissioner said this morning. N.C. Department of Transportation began work this week to reopen the western end of Fikewood Street to U.S. 301. Curbs and gutters were installed this week. City engineer Bryant Bunn checked by the site Thursday and believes the paving will be finished by next week. The Fikewood-301 connection had been severed in 2004 at the same time the Ward Boulevard merge into U.S. 301 South was closed. Those changes were made at the recommendation of a citizens U.S. 301 Task Force. Since then, County Commissioner Josephine Edwards has been lobbying for the road to be reopened. The closure inconvenienced and endangered people who live on Fikewood, she said this morning. "The police and emergency vehicles had trouble getting in there. It was just hazardous for the people who live on the street," she said. In the past year, a police officer responding to reports of a gunshot parked his patrol car on U.S. 301 and ran to the caller's location, she said. "I guess he was baffled how to get in there." Having the road re-opened should cut emergency response time to the street. Also, garbage trucks had no place to turn around on Fikewood, which forced them to use grassy areas beside the road. Edwards lives nearby on Queen Street and knows many Fikewood residents. "I know they'll just

be elated by it," she said. Bunn said the city had no objections to the road being reopened. Wilson City Councilwoman Doris Jones has also asked for the road to be reopened. Jones and several city officials visited the work site during a bus trip through Jones' district Monday. mshaw@wilsondaily.com | 265-7878