Project Highlights

Project U-5720 will be constructed as a design-build project.  The design-build process allows NCDOT to hire a team of designers and contractors that is responsible for the design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction of the project. The team may begin construction on one portion of the project while they finish the design and right-of-way acquisition for others. This usually results in faster completion.

Other benefits of a design-build project may be innovative solutions that save time or money, or reduce impacts, and quicker resolution to problems that may arise during design and construction. The process may provide additional alternatives or modifications to the existing alternatives, which in turn may reduce costs or impacts.

Conceptual Corridors

The U.S. 70 project (U-5720) is in the early stages of development.  At the public meetings on October 30th and November 1st, concepts for the main roadway (U.S. 70) and options being considered and examined for intersections along the corridor were provided for public review and comment. 

The study area shown is a broad survey area and is not intended to reflect any level of potential impacts. Direct impacts from the proposed project will be contained within the study area, but not all properties within the study area will be impacted.

Three Widening Concepts (north, south and upgrade existing) were considered for the improvement of U.S. 70. In the northern and southern widening concepts, existing U.S. 70 would be retained as a two-lane service road providing access to adjacent land uses.

In addition, NCDOT is considering two design options for the proposed Sherron Road/South Miami Boulevard interchange - Option A - a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) or Option B - a Tight Diamond Interchange.  Graphic depictions of these and the roadway concepts are shown below. 

Northern Widening Concept

Based on initial analysis, this concept would affect a smaller number of resources as compared with the other concepts.  This proposed alignnment also ties in better to the adjacent East End Connector project (Stip U-0071) which is curreently under construction.

Southern Widening Concept

This concept would complicate the use of existing U.S. 70 as a service road and would result in a greater number of impacts to property and adjacent resources.

Upgrade Existing Concept

The vertical alignment of the existing roadways (hills and valleys) limits the practicality of this concept as these would have to be evened out creating more direct impacts to adjacent resources on both sides of the roadway.  NCDOT will be recommending that this concept not be carried forward for detailed study.

Sherron Road/South Miami Boulevard - Interchange Options

Option A:  Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI)

Option B:  Tight Diamond Interchange

What is Next?

Following the close of the public comment period on November 16, 2018, NCDOT and the project team will review all commments from the public, local officials, other agencies and local planning organizations.  They will then move forward with recommendations for detailed study alternatives.  NCDOT will make a recommendation for a preferred alternative and designs will be prepared and presented in the fall of 2019 for public review and comment. 

Public Involvement

Public Meetings

Public Meetings were held on October 30 and November 1 to gather feedback on conceptual designs, additional meetings are planned during 2019.

Public Meeting Maps:

U-5720 - Northern Concept 

U-5720 - Southern Concept

Project Funding

 This project is listed as Project U-5720 in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program  (STIP) and is funded for $465 million.

* Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on NCDOT STIP.

* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Elmo Vance

NCDOT

1595 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC  27699-1595

[email protected]   

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 

Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

Relocation Assistance Brochure                                                 Asistencia para Reubicación      
Right-of-Way Acquisition Process Brochure                             Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions