New dock will shorten wait

FALLS LAKE -- The waits and lines should get shorter at the Upper Barton's Creek boat ramp.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission finished installing a third courtesy dock at the ramp on Friday, just as the boating and bass tournament season begins to pick up steam at the popular launch.

"It should clear up some congestion," said Mark Hamlett of the commission's engineering division.

Unlike the other two existing docks, which each run between a pair of ramps, this extra dock was installed to serve as a holding area, allowing a place for boaters waiting their turn to dock while they get their trucks and trailer, which can be parked several hundred yards away when the parking lot is full.

The new dock has a "T" at the end, to provide for even more space than the other two docks.

On Saturday, Ernie Steinmeyer of Apex admired the work, which also included four new handicapped accessible parking spaces.

Steinmeyer has waited his turn for as long as 40 minutes in the past.

"The guys that don't have partners are blocking off traffic," he said.

Brian Millhorn of Youngsville, a bass fisherman, said he has waited for as long as an hour.

"In another month, it's going to be great," he said.

The work, which cost roughly $50,000, was paid for with boater registration fees.

That's a small price to pay, said Durham's Jamie Rutledge, as his 18-foot Caravelle power boat was parked at the new dock.

"Tax dollars well spent," he said.