Proposed Design 

  • Improve curvature of the existing road

  • Widen travel lanes from 9 feet to 12 feet throughout the extent of the project

  • Add or extend turn lanes on Cajah Mountain Road at the Connelly Springs Road, Horseshoe Bend Road, and U.S. 321A intersections

 

From Connelly Springs Road to Joplin Road, the proposed designs:

  • Widen roadway shoulders to include a 5-foot paved shoulder within an overall 8-foot shoulder width at the west end of the project (along sections of the road where guardrail is needed, the total shoulder width will be 11 feet)

  • Realign the existing skewed intersection with Hudson Cajah Mountain Road

  • Raise the posted speed limit from 35 mph to 45 mph west of the Sawmill town limits 

​

      From east of Joplin Road within the Town of Sawmills, the proposed roadway includes:

  • Curb and gutter

  • 5-foot bike lanes

  • 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the road

  • As recommended by the Town of Sawmills Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, the sidewalks and bike lanes transition to a 10-foot multi-use path from west of Helena Street/Kendell Place to U.S. 321A at the eastern end of project

Project Map

​Download PDF of  Map 1: Connelly Springs to Joplin Road

Download PDF of Map 2: Joplin Road to U.S. 321A

 

A video explaining how to read a public hearing or meeting map can be viewed below. The video contains information on colors used and symbology.

Project Impacts

Potential Impacts to Human and Natural Resources*

 

Residential Relocations

6

Business Relocations

0

Cemeteries Impacted

0

Non-Profit/Place of Worship Relocations 

0

Streams (linear feet)

0

Wetlands (acres)

0

* Potential impacts are based on conceptual design, which will be refined based on input from the community, local leaders and resource agencies in order to minimize impacts where feasible.

Project Funding   

 

Estimated Amount*

Right of Way

$ 9,200,000

Utilities

$ 10,200,000

Construction

$ 23,900,000

Total Costs

$ 43,300,000

* NCDOT August 2022. Costs are preliminary and subject to change. 

 

Project Timeline 

Milestone

Date*

Newsletter #1

September 2021

Public Meeting

August 2022

Environmental Document Completion

February 2023

Right of Way 

August 2023

Construction

April 2025

* Future dates are preliminary and subject to change

Public Input 

NCDOT conducted a virtual public outreach effort last fall. A summary of the comments received and NCDOT responses can be found here. 

Question title

Would you like to be added to the project mailing list?

Question title

Do you have any general comments or questions about the proposed project?

Next Steps

Comments received from the public meeting will be reviewed and addressed. An environmental document will follow and is scheduled for completion in February 2023. The project design will be refined and the final proposed right of way acquisition and easement needs will be identified. In August 2023, the property acquisition process to obtain right of way and easements needed to construct the project is scheduled to begin. The project construction is scheduled to begin in April 2025 once the project plans are finalized, right of way acquisition is complete, and environmental permitting processes are finalized. 

Project Contact

Heath Slaughter

NCDOT Division 11 Project Manager

801 Statesville Road

North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

 

[email protected]

984-205-6615 enter code 9768

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.  

 

Relocation Assistance Brochure                                 Asistencia para Reubicación      
Right-of-Way Acquisition Process Brochure             Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions