Myths vs. Facts
MYTH: The only jobs the toll road might bring are the convenience stores, and construction for expensive housing and high end shops.
Click here for the factFACT:With the construction of the Garden Parkway, Gaston County’s employment should reach 106,955 under the Build Alternative Scenario; compared to 89,127 under the No-Build Scenario, a difference of just under eighteen thousand.
MYTH: The Garden Parkway will Increase I-85 congestion
Click here for the factFACT:The construction of the Garden Parkway will considerably decrease the geographic isolation of Gaston County and allow the county to participate in the overall economic growth of the Charlotte MSA.
The Garden Parkway will improve travel times within Gaston County.
MYTH: Tolls are not enough to pay the project price and taxpayers have to pay the $1.4billion cost.
Click here for the factFACT:The Garden Parkway will be funded using a combination of sources with about half of the money repaying the bonds coming from tolls. Once the debt is repaid over a 30-40yr period the tolls would be removed. The project price is NOT $1.4billion.
MYTH: It won’t improve travel times.
Click here for the factFACT:Trips across Gaston County are expected to be nearly 10 minutes shorter while trips into Charlotte are shaved by more than 20-30 minutes.
MYTH: It isn’t worth it!
Click here for the factFACT:The construction of the Garden Parkway has the potential to change the future economic fortunes of Gaston County!!
There is expected to be employment growth of nearly eighteen thousand jobs over the next twenty five years. Additionally the new houses resulting from the building of the parkway is expected to be of a higher than average value. This will have a moderating effect on property taxes.
MYTH: Garden Parkway sends jobs to South Carolina, and takes jobs out of Gaston
Click here for the factFACT:The Garden Parkway is expected to generate about 18,000 jobs in Gaston County within the next 25 yrs. There might also be some jobs created in South Carolina but they will be far exceeded by those generated in Gaston County. Additionally during the 4yr construction period anoither 2600+ jobs will be created.

