Project Overview

Crash data from April 2014 through March 2019 indicate multiple crashes, including two fatal collisions, have occurred along the N.C. 65, N.C. 65/N.C. 68, and N.C. 68 corridor between U.S. 158 in Stokesdale and I-73 in Rockingham County. Project R-5823 proposes improvements at select intersections along this corridor to reduce the incidence and severity of crashes. Intersection improvements are proposed at the following intersections:

N.C. 65 (Belews Creek Road) with

• U.S. 158
• Ellisboro Road

​N.C. 68 with

• N.C. 65/68 and N.C. 65 (Stonefield Cellars Winery Area)
• Lauren Road
• Sylvania Road/Lemons Loop
• Lemons Loop (northern intersection)

Proposed intersection improvements vary by intersection and are shown below.

Project History

Project R-5823 was originally submitted as a multi-lane widening project with an estimated cost of $39 million. During the project planning stage, studies were conducted to assess future traffic, congestion management, and safety along the corridor. The studies indicated that traffic along the corridor did not warrant a multi-lane widening project but that safety concerns persisted at several key intersections. NCDOT Highway Division 7, with concurrence from the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, reduced the scope of the project to intersection improvements, resulting in savings for North Carolina taxpayers.

Project Design Maps

Clicking on the photos below will open maps in a new window for viewing or downloading.

The project begins at the intersection of N.C. 65 (Belews Creek Road) with U.S. 158 and includes improvements to the Ellisboro Road intersection.  Two alternates are being proposed for this area.

Alternate 1

Alternate 1 Typical Sections

Alternate 2

Alternate 2  Typical Sections

Information about Roundabouts

The N.C. Department of Transportation builds roundabouts to improve safety for drivers,​ pedestrians and bicyclists. They also help reduce the congestion and backups more typical of traditional intersections with stop signs and traffic signals.  A driver generally enters the roundabout more quickly than if waiting at a traffic signal. In addition, the modern roundabout is much smaller than older traffic circles and requires vehicles to travel at lower speeds (15-20 mph), making them safer than traffic circles. Additionally, the slower speeds make it easier for a driver to find a gap of traffic inside the roundabout before safely entering it.​

To view information on how to navigate roundabouts in North Carolina click here.

N.C. 65/N.C. 68 at N.C. 65 and N.C. 68, as well as N.C. 68 at Lauren Road  

N.C. 65 will be realigned to remove the skewed intersection with N.C. 65/N.C. 68. Lauren Road will be realigned at the intersection and a roundabout will be constructed

Lauren Road Intersection Improvements

Typical Sections

N.C. 68 and Lemons Road/Sylvania Road and N.C. 68 and Lemons Loop

Lemons Road and Sylvania Road will be realigned, and a roundabout will be installed at this new intersection with N.C. 68.

Lemons Loop will be cul-de-sac'd at its southern connection to N.C. 68 and improvements will be made at the northern connection with N.C. 68.

Lemons Road/Sylvania Road/ Lemons Loop

Typical Sections

Project Funding

*Estimated costs shown are what is funded in the State Transportation Improvement Program.  As noted above, the project scope has been right-sized and the final cost of the project will be reduced.

Project Timeline

* Schedule is preliminary and 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.

To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,

please submit before October 25, 2023.

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

Email: NC65-NC68Improvements-Guilford@PublicInput.com 

Phone Number: 984-205-6615      enter project code 4912

Project Contact

Chris Smitherman

NCDOT Highway Division 7

Project Delivery Team Lead

P. O. Box 14996

Greensboro, NC 27415

Project Contact

Emaly Simone

Michael Baker International

  Environmental Planner

 8000 Regency Parkway Suite 600

 Cary, NC 27518

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

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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