Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1361452
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM APRIL 14-20, 2021 UCW 9 MetroNet has begun a two-year project of installing nearly 1,000 miles of fiber optic infra- structure throughout Cumberland County. e work includes installing equipment underground in public rights-of-way, as well as on utility poles. MetroNet began construction in areas of West Fayetteville between Raeford Road and Stoney Point Road in January. Residents are being noti- fied as construction plans unfold in their neigh- borhoods. MetroNet says it will minimize any impact to personal property as it works within utility easement areas. e Public Works Com- mission emphasizes that the work is not man- aged by PWC. Residents interested in MetroNet construction activity can inquire online at www. metronetinc.com/iwantfiber or by telephone by calling 1-877-386-3876. Cumberland County bridge closing Construction is underway to upgrade and widen 16 miles of I-95 from Murphy Road (Exit 55) in Cumberland County to Exit 71 near Dunn in Harnett County. NCDOT also plans to begin widening the interstate from Exit 71 to the I-40 (Exit 81) junction in Johnston County later this year. e two segments total 26 miles and involve widening the interstate from its present four lanes to a total of eight lanes. e Baywood Road bridge spanning Interstate 95 in Eastover has been closed to be rebuilt in order to accommodate the highway widening project beneath it. e road will reopen early next year. A detour will send drivers to the nearby Murphy Road overpass (Exit 55) to get around the closure. A N.C. Department of Transportation contractor is widening I-95 be- tween exits 55 and 71. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2024. Visit www.ncdot.gov/ projects/Pages/ for more information about both projects. Hay Street construction project begins Construction is under way to change a section of Hay Street between Winslow Street and Ray Avenue. It will be reduced from two lanes in both directions to one lane each way. Hay Street in that vicinity will be closed to thru traffic for one week for construction. e new lanes will be resur- faced and marked for high visibility. An existing crosswalk in front of City Hall will be removed. In mid-May, a new high-visibility, thermoplastic crosswalk will be installed leading to Hurley Way which is the entrance to Segra Stadium. Pre- formed thermoplastic pavement markings pro- vide durability and visibility to increase the life of markings for crosswalks, bike paths and handicap designated areas. Housing costs are up for military families living off post Many military families who live off post are paying more than $200 a month out of pocket for housing costs beyond what they're getting in their Basic Allowance for Housing, according to a newly released survey. "For military families, finding housing that fulfills both location and family needs can be a costly balancing act," stated researchers in the 2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey. By law, BAH is designed to cover, on average, 95 percent of service members' housing rental and utility costs in the private sector. Fami- lies are left to pick up 5 percent of their housing costs, which according to the Defense Depart- ment, should range between $70 to $158 a month in 2021. Researchers recommend that Congress change the Basic Allowance for Housing to 100 percent of the average housing rental costs in the private sector. Spring class schedule released for Pechmann Fishing Education Center e N.C. Wildlife Resources Commis- sion's Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville has released its April workshop schedule. All courses will be led by trained volunteers and Wildlife Commission staff. A North Carolina fishing license is not required to take any of the classes. Pre-registration is required. e Center's COVID-19 policies are stated on their website and must be followed during visits. April 13-14: Introductory Fishing for Adults, from 6–9 p.m. April 15: Basic Fishing Knots and Rigging, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. April 16: Surf Fishing Workshop, 6:30 – 8 p.m. April 17: BOW Fly-Fishing Workshop, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ($20 fee, women only) April 22: Fly-tying Forum, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. (in-person and virtual) April 24: Basic Rod Building Course, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration for all clinics and classes is avail- able online at ncwildlife.org/learning/education- centers/pechmann, or by calling 910-868-5003. Fiber optic installation begins in Cumberland County by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.