SOUTH POINT — Two projects on the South Point section of U.S. 52 with the goal of improving traffic flow have the approval of the county’s Transportation Improvement District.

The first is at the U.S. 52 and Solida Road interchange near The Point industrial park.

“It is to improve the traffic flow caused by the additional trucks and vehicles coming in and out of the South Point park,” Lawrence County Engineer Doug Cade said. “There is more traffic due to the businesses located at the industrial park, like FedEx. There is an increasing amount of truck traffic to manage.”

This week the TID will solicit requests for qualifications for consultants to handle the preliminary engineering with the expectation of getting that person on the project by Thanksgiving. Those preliminary plans could be completed by May 2014.

Cost for the initial plans is expected to come in at $250,000.

“As far as the final cost we will not know that until we get the preliminary engineering,” Cade said.

The second interchanges targeted by the TID are U.S. 52 at County Road 1 and at County Road 15, also known as Lick Creek Road.

“We are looking at how we can reduce accidents and improve traffic flow because of the limited sight distance and increased speed,” Cade said. “That is why we are seeing so many accidents.”

Those preliminary engineering plans, estimated at $150,000, are to determine what would be the most reasonable solutions to reduce accidents at those two sites.

“It is our No. 5 site for most frequent accidents in the county,” Cade said.

The county intersection with the most accidents is at U.S. 52 and Charlie Creek or County Road 144.

“Plans for this project are also expected to be completed by May 2014.

“When you plan a project like this, typically it takes three to five years from beginning to end, even on the most aggressive, ” Cade said. “With it being under the direction of the TID, we have a lot more flexibility to move projects along faster. We still have to meet state and federal rules.”