U-5706 Eastern Rockingham Corridor Study
U-5706 Eastern Rockingham Corridor Study
New Location Roadway between U.S. 74 Business and Richmond Road in Eastern Rockingham
PROJECT STUDY AREA MAP
This map is for reference only and is a representation of the general project area.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes the creation of a new location road from U.S. 74 Business to Richmond Road (S.R. 1423) in eastern Rockingham. The project would begin with improvements to Clemmer Road, and continue northward as a new road, ending near the intersection of Richmond Road and Roberdel Road, a total distance of about four miles. The purpose of the project is to provide direct connectivity between commercial areas along US 74 Business and residential areas northeast of central Rockingham and reduce conflicts between through traffic and local traffic on Long Drive.
Currently, large volumes of cars and trucks travel between the businesses along East Broad Avenue (U.S. 74 Business) and the residential areas northeast of downtown Rockingham. Much of this through-traffic uses Long Drive, which, along with Richmond Road, is the only direct route between these two areas. Long Drive and Richmond Road were not designed to accommodate this level of through-traffic. As a result, safety has diminished, and traffic congestion has increased on these streets. With planners predicting even higher volumes in the future, conditions on these streets are expected to worsen. The new road would provide a more direct route between East Broad Avenue and the residential areas to the north, allowing Long Drive to return to its intended function as a local street.
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Alternative 5 was selected as the preferred alternative in March 2023 based on public input, environmental and right-of-way considerations. This alternative had the most favorable support from the community. It will have the least impacts on streams and would require the least number of residential and business relocations. In addition, this alternative will have a lower cost than the other project alternatives.
The selected corridor would provide a more direct route between East Broad Avenue and the residential areas to the north, allowing Long Drive to return to its intended function as a local street. Alternative 5 would provide a direct route for through traffic from the commercial areas along U.S. 74 Business to residential areas in northeast Rockingham. It would include a combination of existing roadway segments and new location segments. Alternative 5 starts at Clemmer Road and ends at the intersection of Old Aberdeen Road and Richmond Road. It follows existing Clemmer Road from U.S. 74 Business to County Home Road, then runs northeast to Falling Creek.
Alternative 5 will consist of a three-lane road and five-foot sidewalks from E. Broad Avenue to County Home Road (S.R. 1624), a two-lane road from County Home Road to Mount Olive Road (S.R. 1645), and a three-lane road and five-foot sidewalks from Mount Olive Road to Richmond Road (S.R. 1423).
PROJECT HISTORY
The study began in 2015. Six alternatives were previously studied and presented to the public in 2017. As a result of further studies, those six were narrowed down to three. Alternative 1 would improve existing Long Drive and Richmond Road so that they could accommodate both local and thru-traffic in the future. Alternatives 4 and 5 would combine new road segments with improvements to existing roadways between East Broad Avenue and Richmond Road. Each of these three alternatives is shown on the map below. The option of not constructing any of these alternatives, the No Build Alternative, was also considered.
PROJECT VIDEOS
Project Alternatives Overview
PROJECT MAPS
A video explaining how to read a public hearing or meeting map can be viewed below.
The video contains information on colors and symbols used.
STATE ENVIROMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Due to the size this document is being posted in 3 parts:
PUBLIC MEETING
A summary of the September 15th Corridor Public Meeting and comments received during the comment period can be reviewed using the following link:
U-5706 Post Hearing Meeting Summary
PROJECT FUNDING
| Preferred Alternative | |
|---|---|
| Property Acquisition | $18,200,000 |
| Utility Relocation | $2,7000,000 |
| Construction | $64,300,000 |
| Total Cost* | $85,200,000 |
* Costs are preliminary and subject to change
PROJECT COMMENTS
NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this website, email, or phone number:
Email: U5706@PublicInput.com
Phone Number: 512-580-8850 enter project code 3999
TITLE VI FEEDBACK
To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?
If so, please click here: https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI
PROJECT CONTACT
Greg Davis, PE
NCDOT Highway Division 8
Division Project Engineer
121 DOT Drive
Carthage, NC 28327
U5706@publicinput.com
512-580-8850 code 3999
PROJECT CONTACT
Brian Eason, PE
H.W. Lochner, Inc.
Consultant Project Manager
2840 Plaza Place, Suite 202
Raleigh, NC 27612
U5706@publicinput.com
512-580-8850 code 3999
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