By Erin Smith
The construction of the multi-use path in White Lake is nearing completion, according to Project Manager Eddie Madden. Mayor Goldston Womble said town officials are excited about the prospect of the completion of this section of the multi-use path.
“The section from Waterford to Wam Squam is essentially complete to include the footbridge installed along that section,” said Madden.
There is also a parking area for the path near the Waterford entrance where you can leave your vehicle and access the multi-use path. The path is designed with a strip of grass between the vehicles and those utilizing the path.
“The main thing is having a safe place for people and families to get out and walk, ride their bicycle or run,” said Mayor Womble.
S & C Construction LLC of Wilmington is now working along the stretch of path that travels along US 701 to the Turtle Cove subdivision. Madden said the terrain is more challenging for the contractor along this section of the path.
“They are actually ahead of schedule at this point,” said Madden.
The project is scheduled to be completed by May 15th, 2019.
Mayor Womble said the construction for the multi-use path has been several years in the making with planning, engineering and finding funding for the project. The project is funded with $250,000 grant from USDA and a $350,000 grant from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the remainder of the funds coming from a local match from the town of White Lake.
“We’re looking forward to getting it into use,” said Mayor Womble.
He explained that the ultimate goal is to have the multi-use path and the sidewalks connect around the entire lake.
“When we started doing the sidewalks, we knew we couldn’t get the funds to do the entire lake at one time,” said mayor Womble.
Mayor Womble said the town initially installed a section of sidewalk along Lake Drive and then decided to extend it to Timberlodge Village. Then the town board decided to extend the sidewalks in the opposite direction to Regal Resort.
Mayor Womble said the multi-use path was constructed between the Waterford subdivision on NC 53 and the Turtle Cove subdivision on US 701 because a landowner, Tom Keith, was willing to give the town the necessary right-of-way to construct the path.
Madden said the town plans to extend the multi-use path beyond Turtle Cove to White Lake Marina in the future. Work is currently underway on a grant application to fund more work on the path.
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