INTERACTIVE PROJECT STUDY AREA MAP

This map shows the area being studied for the project.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to replace culvert number 358 on Olive Chapel Road (S.R. 1160) at Beaver Creek in Apex. The culvert will be replaced at its existing location. 

August 6, 2025 Weather Event Response

Heavy rainfall on August 6, 2025, caused the existing culvert to fail between Ashley Downs Drive and Patterson Grove Road in Apex, Wake County.  During the event, heavy rain swelled Beaver Creek, causing one of two metal pipes under the road to collapse.  The collapse of the pipe and undermining of the road from the weather event has necessitated the closure of the road.  NCDOT has also removed the concrete sidewalk on a portion of the road because the sidewalk was determined to be undermined and unstable.

Drivers should factor in the longer commute using the designated detour, which consists of Olive Chapel Road, Apex Peakway, N.C. 55, U.S. 64, Kelly Road and back to Olive Chapel Road; or its reverse course. For the most up to date detour information, please reference DriveNC.gov/#incidents and search for incident number 743230.

Image credit: Town of Apex Civic Alert

The Department is working to finalize design plans, acquire additional right-of-way and relocate utilities in order to replace the pipes, which were nearing the end of their lifespan. The department is coordinating with the town of Apex on the project.

The official NCDOT press release can be found here.

While the road is closed, the public is encouraged to refrain from crossing orange barricades for your own safety.

October 13, 2025 Update

The project team has completed the final design for the culvert, and the project is on track to begin construction in Winter 2025 as planned. NCDOT has coordinated with all affected property owners. Utility relocation construction began the week of September 1, 2025. During the utility relocation and continuing through the project duration, the road closures include Patterson Grove Road, Ashley Downs Drive (eastern entrance), and Moraine Ridge Road at Olive Chapel Road. The public is required to follow posted road closure signage (see G.S. 136-26); for your safety, do not move or attempt to drive or walk around any barricades, as they are providing separation between the public and ongoing utility construction. A detour route has been designated by signage directing through traffic on Olive Chapel Road to instead use Kelly Road, U.S. 64 and W. Williams Street for access. 

Safety Notice: With increased presence of heavy equipment and construction traffic, the public is reminded that they are required to abide by posted road closure signage (see G.S. 136-26).

Previous Project Updates

Pedestiran Access During Construction

During construction, the existing sidewalk along Olive Chapel Road between Ashley Downs Drive and Pearson Grove Road will be closed. Residents are encouraged to use the Beaver Creek Greenway, located south of the Ashley Downs and Pearson Farms neighborhoods, for walking and biking to locations like Olive Chapel Elementary School, Kelly Road Park, Jaycee Park, or Publix Pointe Shopping Center. Pedestrian access options are shown in the map below.

You can also use Google Maps to generate walking or biking directions by clicking on the walk or bike icon at the top of the directions and then choosing the route that utilizes the greenway. Please note, this map platform may not recognize the current road closure along Olive Chapel Road and thus may generate a walking option through the project site; this route will not be available to pedestrians during the project construction duration.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

The proposed improvements include replacing the existing three-lane roadway on Olive Chapel Road at Beaver Creek with: 

• Two eleven-foot travel lanes with paved shoulders, a continuous center left-turn lane, and curb and gutter
• A six-foot paved shoulder on the north side that can be used as a future bike lane
• A new five-foot sidewalk on the north side

Road Typical Section

PROJECT MAPS

Proposed Improvements Map

PROJECT FUNDING

*Costs shown are estimates and are subject to change.

PROJECT TIMELINE

*Future dates subject to change

PROJECT COMMENTS

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

Prior to the weather event, website comment submittal for the project was open until August 15, 2025; however, this deadline was extended until September 5, 2025. The project email and phone number are still available to use for project input or questions. To keep the public informed of ongoing project progress, NCDOT will post regular project updates on this website, as well as send a direct email to anyone who signs up for updates below. Responses to submitted comments are posted below.

Response to Public Comments – BP5.C001

Email: olivechapelculvert@publicinput.com

Phone Number:  984-205-6615 enter project code 11536 to leave a message

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-Form

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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