Commissioners back easement acquisitions for North Shore Drive safety and greenway improvements

Commissioners voted to move forward with Resolution 401 to acquire necessary right‑of‑way, slope and construction easements on a series of parcels along North Shore Drive to allow safety improvements and Greenway extensions.

Jim Snowden, Director of Engineering/Public Works, explained the project scope: fill steep drop‑offs at the shoulder, install consistent 11‑foot lanes with 2‑foot paved shoulders, and extend pedestrian greenway facilities from the cove to the roundabout. Snowden said most parcels require minor easements; only two are fee acquisitions and both are relatively small and expected to have limited impact on the remainder of the property.

Snowden estimated total acquisition costs for the 12 tracts at about $60,000–$65,000, subject to appraisals. Commissioners praised the concurrent engineering approach — combining road safety work with greenway construction to reduce traffic impacts and overall costs — and noted public communication materials will be prepared to explain timeline and impact.

The resolution was approved and the project is expected to start construction late this year with completion possibly late next year, subject to procurement and property acquisition timelines.