HL-0008H: Lake Wheeler Road at Simpkins Road
HL-0008H: Lake Wheeler Road at Simpkins Road
The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to make improvements at the intersection of Lake Wheeler Road and Simpkins Road.
Project Overview
STIP Project HL-0008H involves improvements at the intersection of Lake Wheeler Road and Simpkins Road. Proposed work at this intersection includes the addition of left turn lanes in both directions, a northbound right turn lane on Lake Wheeler Road, and a westbound right turn lane on Simpkins Road.
Proposed work at this intersection includes
addition of left turn lanes in both directions on Lake Wheeler Road
a northbound right turn lane on Lake Wheeler Road
a westbound right turn lane on Simpkins Road
Lake Wheeler Road is a highly traveled corridor with a 2019 average daily traffic volume of 13,000 vehicles per day. At the Simpkins Road intersection, Lake Wheeler Road has no dedicated turn lanes to allow turning vehicles to move out of the through travel lane. Left turning traffic at this intersection blocks through traffic, resulting in queues and delays for traffic along Lake Wheeler Road. The proposed project will improve traffic flow and operations on Lake Wheeler Road at Simpkins Road.
Construction
HL-0008H was awarded for Construction on April 23, 2025. Both this project and project HL-0008C (Lake Wheeler Road at Simpkins Road) were awarded under the same Contract to Barnhill Contracting Company. Construction began in June 2025 and is expected to be completed by November 2026.
History
The Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) law includes a provision for a funding allocation to local governments based on funding contributed by the local government to transportation projects or revenue from tolling. This bonus allocation can be used to fund the construction of other eligible highway projects.
Early in 2020, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) received notice from NCDOT that there would be a bonus allocation to CAMPO from the N.C. 540 project. This intersection project was one of several selected by CAMPO for the bonus allocation funding. NCDOT began project development work for the project in early 2021.
Project Funding:
| Estimated Amount* |
|---|---|
| Project Development & Design | $ 145,000 |
Right-of-Way | $ 665,000 |
Construction | $2,250,000 |
Total Costs | $3,060,000 |
* Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on currently adopted N.C. State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
Project Timeline:
Milestone | Date* |
|---|---|
Approved Designs | 2022 |
Right of Way Acquisition | August 2022 |
Begin Construction | June 2025 |
End Construction | November 2026 |
* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change
Project Comments
The public is encouraged to leave any questions or comments using this website or the project email or phone number.
Project Email: LakeWheeler-Simpkins@PublicInput.com
Project Phone Number: 984-205-6615 enter project code 8667
Responses to comments received during the public comment period.
Project Contact:
Kyrillos Helmy, EI
NCDOT Division 5
Assistant Project Engineer
1573 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1573
Project Contact:
Anna L. Zeyfang
NCDOT Division 5
Assistant Resident Engineer
1574 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1574
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