R-5705: NC 55 Corridor

Currently, N.C. 55 is primarily a two-lane roadway throughout the project corridor, with turn lanes at major intersections. To relieve congestion and improve mobility, NCDOT is proposing to widen portions of N.C. 55 to a median-divided, four-lane roadway and build a multi- lane by-pass west of Angier. The proposed improvements to N.C. 55 will include reduced conflict intersections (superstreet design). The proposed project is approximately 11.5 miles in length.

Vicinity Map:

Project Purpose:

The purpose of the project is to reduce traffice congestion and improve mobility along N.C. 55 in the project area, with a goal of achieving an overall minimum level of service (D).

Current Project Maps:

Project Schedule:

Milestone	Date*
1st Public Meeting	July. 27, 2017
2nd Public Meeting	Nov. 15, 2018
Environmental Document Completion	Late Fall 2019
Right-of-Way	January 2020
Construction	January 2022

* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change

Project Funding:

This project is listed as Project No. R-5705 in the N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and is funded for $123,062,000.

	Estimated Amount*
Utilities	$ 7,600,000
Right-of-Way	$ 24,462,000
Construction Costs	$ 91,000,000
Total Cost	$ 123,062,000

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

N.C. 55 will be a Reduced Conflict Intersection (superstreet) multi-lane roadway with the following typical sections:

Typical Section 1:

Existing N.C. 55 will be widened to a multi-lane facility from just south of Oak Grove Church Road (S.R. 1532) to just south of Ennis Road (S.R. 1543). The proposed typical section along this portion of N.C. 55 will be a 4-lane divided roadway with a 23-foot raised median and 10-foot shoulders (including 4-foot paved shoulders).

Typical Section 2:

N.C. 55 will be on new-location from just south of Ennis Road (S.R. 1543) to just south of Kennebec Church Road (S.R. 2791). The proposed typical along this portion of N.C. 55 will be a 4-lane divided roadway with a 30-foot raised median and 10-foot shoulders (including 4-foot paved shoulders).

Typical Section 3:

Existing N.C. 55 will be widened to a multi-lane facility from just south of Kennebec Church Road (S.R. 2791) to N.C. 42. The proposed typical section along this portion of N.C. 55 will be a 4-lane divided roadway with a 23-foot raised median, curb and gutter with a 10-foot berm.

Reduced Conflict Intersection

Reduced Conflict Intersections (also known as superstreets) direct side street traffic to make a right turn and then proceed to dedicated U-turn movements, to continue in the desired direction. Safety is improved with this design by reducing the conflict points seen at major cross streets. With this design, traffic flow and capacity are increased.