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 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 improve area safety and traffic operations. 

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.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

From U.S. 74 Business (East Broad Avenue) to County Home Road, the proposed road would include:

• two 12-foot travel lanes
• a center turn lane

And from County Home Road to U.S. 1 (Fayetteville Road), the proposed road would include two 12-foot travel lanes.

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Alternative 5 was selected as the preferred alternative in March 2023 based on public input, environmental and right-of-way considerations. 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 and would be constructed as a two-lane median divided roadway. 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.

This alternative will have the least impact 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.  Environmental impacts, impacts on homes and businesses, engineering requirements and public comments were taken into consideration in the selection of this alternative.

And in an effort to help mitigate the impacts to the Philadelphia community, sidewalks have been added to the three-lane section of proposed roadway that goes through the Philadelphia community. 

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

• ​Alternative 1 Red
• Alternative 4 Blue
• Alternative 5 Blue and Green

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:

• Environmental Assessment Document including Project Commitments
• Figures
• Appendices

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

* Costs are preliminary and subject to change

PROJECT TIMELINE

* Future dates 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

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