Study Area

This map provides information on the study area in which environmental studies are conducted.

Project Overview and History

The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to improve intersections between Forney Hill Road/Campground Road and St. James Church Road/Will Proctor Street in Denver.

After studying numerous alternatives, a new connector road, west of existing N.C. 16 Business, is proposed along with roundabouts at each of the connector ends. Widening of N.C. 16 Business, turn lanes on all intersection approaches, and some left turn restrictions have also been considered.

• A feasibility study for the project was conducted in 2018. This study recommended roadway widening along N.C. 16 Business, two-way left turn (TWLT) improvements on Will Proctor Street), and a new single-lane roundabout connecting Campground Road and Will Proctor Street. The study findings were documented in the Project Scoping Technical Report dated July 17, 2019. The proposed roundabout improvement alternative was later deemed no longer feasible due to a recent residential development in the location where the roundabout was proposed. 

• A second feasibility study was conducted for the project in 2021. Thirteen alternative concepts were considered and the current project alternatives described under Project Highlights below, are based on the previous feasibility study recommendations and updated traffic capacity studies in 2023.

Project Highlights

The purpose of the project is to:

• improve operations of the N.C. 16 Business intersections with Forney Hill Road/Campground Road and St. James Church Road/Will Proctor Street, 
• facilitate east-west traffic flow between St. James Church Road and Campground Road.

Under current conditions, these existing signalized intersections are primary contributors to the heavy congestion along N.C. 16 Business during peak hours.

Two alternatives are currently being considered for the proposed project, with two options under consideration for Alternative 2.  Descriptions of the alternatives appear below each map. 

The local Denver Historic District boundary (state listed) and Rock Springs Campground (National Register) have been identified as important/significant historic areas/sites in the area, and close coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will occur during project development to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to these resources.

Note:  The project is currently funded  in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Preliminary Engineering (PE) only.  

Since the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is updated approximately every two years, a project that is included in the first five years of the program has a greater certainty of being delivered as it is scheduled; these are shown with fiscal year schedules and labelled as “Scheduled for Delivery”. 

Projects in the second half of the STIP may continue with planning and design activities.  However, these projects will have to compete again in Prioritization to remain funded in a future STIP.  The STIP is updated approximately every two years.

PE activities may include: 

• Planning: Defining the project scope and needs.
• Environmental Documentation: Assessing and addressing potential environmental impacts in compliance with relevant regulations like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Design: Developing preliminary and even final design plans.
• Surveys: Performing necessary land surveys and investigations.
• Studies: Conducting various technical studies like geotechnical or traffic studies.
• Professional Services: Engaging consultants and other specialists to assist with the PE phase tasks. 

Typical Roadway Section

Project Maps

Clicking on the photo below will open the pdf version in a new window for viewing or downloading.

Alternative 1

Alternative 1

• New connector road west of N.C. 16 Business between Forney Hill Road and St. James Church Road with single-lane roundabouts at both ends
• Turn Lane improvements and left turn restrictions from N.C. 16 Business at St. James Church Road/Will Proctor Street 
• Turn Lane improvements and left turn restrictions from N.C. 16 Business between Forney Hill Road/Campground Road 
• New left turn lane from Campground Road onto Catawba-Burris Road

Alternative 2   -  Option 1

Alternative 2 - Option 1 

• Symmetrical Widening of N.C. 16 Business
• Widen N.C. 16 Business to a 5-lane typical section on the east and west ends 
• Contains all Alternative 1 improvements​
  • New connector road west of N.C. 16 Business between Forney Hill Road and St. James Church Road with single-lane roundabouts at both ends
  • Turn Lane improvements and left turn restrictions from N.C. 16 Business at St. James Church Road/Will Proctor Street 
  • Turn Lane improvements and left turn restrictions from N.C. 16 Business between Forney Hill Road/Campground Road 
  • New left turn lane from Campground Road onto Catawba-Burris Road

Alternative 2   -  Option 2

Alternative 2 - Option 2

• Asymmetrical widening of N.C. 16 Business (widening to the south toward the Forney Hill Road and St. James Church Road side)
• Widen N.C. 16 Business to a 5-lane typical section on the east and west ends
• Contains all Alternative 1 improvements​
  • New connector road west of N.C. 16 Business between Forney Hill Road and St. James Church Road with single-lane roundabouts at both ends
  • Turn Lane improvements and left turn restrictions from N.C. 16 Business at St. James Church Road/Will Proctor Street 
  • Turn Lane improvements and left turn restrictions from N.C. 16 Business between Forney Hill Road/Campground Road 
  • New left turn lane from Campground Rd. onto Catawba-Burris Rd.

Project Funding:

*Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on currently adopted NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program.

Project Timeline:

The project is currently funded in the STIP for Preliminary Engineering (PE) only.

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 May 7, 2024

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

Email: Forney-StJamesChurch-Denver@publicinput.com

Phone Number:  984-205-6615    enter project code 10221 to leave a message.

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Bryan Sowell, P.E.

Project Development Team Lead 

NCDOT Division 12

P.O. Box 47

Shelby, NC 28151

Forney-StJamesChurch-Denver@publicinput.com

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Colista Freeman, P.E.

Planning Senior Project Manager

NV5 Engineers and Consultants

3300 Regency Parkway, Suite 100

Cary, NC 27518

Forney-StJamesChurch-Denver@publicinput.com

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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