Project Overview

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is proposing improvements to U.S.401/N.C. 39 in two adjacent roadway improvement projects, U-6024 and R-3608.

U-6024 would convert U.S. 401/ N.C. 39 from Burke Boulevard to N.C. 56/ N.C. 581 (Nash Street) from a five-lane to a four-lane median divided roadway.

R-3608 would widen U.S. 401/ N.C. 39 from N.C. 56/ N.C. 581 (Nash Street) to Main Street (S.R. 1229) to a four-lane median divided section.

Purpose and Need

The primary purpose of the projects is to address congestion, delays, and safety concerns on U.S. 401/ N.C. 39.

Three design concepts were evaluated to address traffic operations and safety in the study area.

All three alternatives proposed improving the entire corridor to a median divided facility.

• Alternative 1 proposes traditional widening and conventional intersection improvements with a single U-turn on the corridor.
• Alternative 2 proposes use of Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI) principles to improve efficiency along the corridor by routing some left turning movements through U-turns.
• Alternative 3 proposes roundabouts at three major intersections along the corridor.

A preferred alternative was selected for improvements after consideration of input from internal NCDOT, the public, local officials and project stakeholders. The preferred alternative is a combination of Alternatives 2 and 3. Roundabouts are proposed at the intersection of Bunn Road/N.C. 39 and at the intersection of Justice Street/N.C. 561 and Waddell Steet. RCI improvements are proposed at the Nash Street intersection.

Proposed Typical Sections

The proposed typical section within the limits of STIP Project Nos. U-6024/R-3608 is a four-lane median divided roadway.  The proposed typical cross section includes: 

• Four travel lanes (two in each direction)
• 23-foot raised median
• Median width varies depending on the presence of left-turn lanes
• Curb and gutter along inside and outside travel lanes
• Five-foot sidewalks on the east side
• Ten-foot multiuse path on the west side

Additional right-of-way and temporary easements may be required for construction. During construction, traffic will be maintained within the existing corridor with temporary lane and shoulder closures.

There are utilities located in the project area that may need to be relocated as part of this project. NCDOT will coordinate with residents, businesses, and utility companies as the project progresses.

What is a Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI)?

A Reduced Conflict Intersection is a general term used to describe several types of designs that may be used to improve safety and traffic flow on a highway. While there are variations to the designs, they all function the same at reducing conflicts for drivers and pedestrians - hence the term Reduced Conflict Intersection.

With the most common type of RCI design, drivers on the main road follow their usual paths, but raised medians redirect drivers from the side road into turning right. When there is a safe opening in traffic, drivers turn right to easily enter the flow of traffic on the main route. To go the other direction, or cross the highway, they pull into a dedicated lane, typically less than 1,000 feet away, to make a U-turn

For more information about RCIs and how they function, please visit the following weblink:

https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/safety-mobility/superstreets/Pages/default.aspx

Roundabout Intersection

A roundabout is easy to drive through once you understand how it works. As you approach it, you’ll see a yellow “roundabout ahead” sign, indicating you should slow down. 

For more information about Roundabouts please visit the following weblink:

https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/safety-mobility/roundabouts/Pages/default.aspx

Preferred Alternative Maps

Map 1:  U.S. 401/N.C. 39 (Bickett Blvd) between Burke Rd and Nash Street 

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Map 2:  U.S. 401/N.C. 39 (Bickett Blvd) between Nash Street and Main Street

Public Meetings

A public meeting was held on Nov. 7, 2019, in Louisburg, NC to obtain stakeholder and public input regarding the project's design.                                                               

Public Meeting Documents/Maps (2019)

U-6024 / R-3608 Public meeting handout

Alternative Map 1: Conventional - Burke Boulevard to North of Noble Street​

Alternate Map 2: Conventional - North of Noble Street to Main Street 

Alternate Map 1: Reduced Conflict Intersection - Burke Boulevard to North of Noble Street

Alternate Map 2: Reduced Conflict Intersection - North of Noble Street to Main Street

Alternate Map 1: Roundabout - Burke Boulevard to North of Noble Street

Alternate Map 2: Roundabout - North of Noble Street to Main Street

Click to view Responses to comments and questions received at the public meeting

Project Funding

These projects are listed as Projects U-6024 and R-3608 in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

* Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on NCDOT 2026-2035 STIP.

Project Timeline

* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change.

NOTE: Project U-6024 is funded for Preliminary Engineering Only in the current STIP

Comments

NCDOT accepts comments and questions throughout all phases of project development and construction.

To submit comments or questions on the project, please use the project email:  US-401-Louisburg@publicinput.com

or

the project phone number:  984-205-6615 and enter code 5824 to leave a message.

You may also send comments or questions to the project manager listed below.

Project Contact

Zahid Baloch, P.E.

NCDOT Project Engineer

NCDOT Highway Division 5

1573 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC  27699-1573

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.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

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